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Overview

The practice of planning in New Zealand, with particular emphasis on the statutory planning framework.

Introduction to the practice of planning and planning law in New Zealand, with particular emphasis on the statutory planning framework at the national, regional and local levels. The role of politics in determining the direction and application of statutory planning and how it influences planning practice is also covered.

The overall aim is to prepare students with practical skills and understanding for them to apply in their professional planning practice. The paper emphasises the role of the New Zealand Planning Institute and the importance of maintaining professional ethics.

About this paper

Paper title Planning Practice and Law
Subject Planning Studies
EFTS 0.2500
Points 30 points
Teaching period Full Year (On campus)
Domestic Tuition Fees ( NZD ) $2,441.25
International Tuition Fees Tuition Fees for international students are elsewhere on this website.
Notes
Required for MPlan.
Eligibility

This paper is a requirement for students undertaking the Master of Planning (MPlan) degree.

Contact

alan.matheson@otago.ac.nz

Teaching staff

Professional Practicing Fellow

Kairuruku Ritenga Utua

Alan Matheson

Paper Structure

The paper covers the following modules:

  • Statutory planning framework
  • Plan preparation, monitoring, review and changes
  • Plan implementation – resource consent and other consent processes
Teaching Arrangements

1 x 2 hour lecture per week

Textbooks

Essential readings will be set for each lecture and a list of recommended readings, are available on Blackboard, and texts are included in the attached course outline.

Course outline

View the course outline for PLAN 438

Graduate Attributes Emphasised
Communication, Critical thinking, Cultural understanding, Ethics, Environmental literacy, Information literacy, Research, Self-motivation, Teamwork.
View more information about Otago's graduate attributes.
Learning Outcomes

On completion of the paper students should:

  • Be familiar with planning frameworks for resource management, local government, iwi, conservation, transportation and heritage
  • Understand the philosophy, purpose and principles of the RMA
  • Understand the principles of Te Tiriti o Waitangi, implications of treaty settlements, their translation into the resource management framework, and the practical application of these principles in planning practice
  • Understand the resource management aspirations of Maori and the role of iwi planning documents within policy and the role of Mana Whakahono a Rohe, triennial agreements and other cooperative arrangements with local and other authorities
  • Appreciate the political dynamics of planning and the role of the media in framing environmental and resource management issues
  • Be aware of the current areas of Government legislative reform
  • Recognise the role of the New Zealand Planning Institute and issues relating to professional ethics and the NZPI Code of Conduct
  • Be familiar with the public policy cycle and generic policy development process under the RMA

Refer to linked Course Outline for further learning outcomes.

Assessment details

PLAN438 is 100% internally assessed.

Overview

The practice of planning in New Zealand, with particular emphasis on the statutory planning framework.

Introduction to the practice of planning and planning law in New Zealand, with particular emphasis on the statutory planning framework at the national, regional and local levels. The role of politics in determining the direction and application of statutory planning and how it influences planning practice is also covered.

The overall aim is to prepare students with practical skills and understanding for them to apply in their professional planning practice. The paper emphasises the role of the New Zealand Planning Institute and the importance of maintaining professional ethics.

About this paper

Paper title Planning Practice and Law
Subject Planning Studies
EFTS 0.2500
Points 30 points
Teaching period Full Year (On campus)
Domestic Tuition Fees Tuition Fees for 2027 have not yet been set
International Tuition Fees Tuition Fees for international students are elsewhere on this website.
Notes
Required for MPlan.
Eligibility

This paper is a requirement for students undertaking the Master of Planning (MPlan) degree.

Contact

Alan Matheson

Teaching staff

Professional Practice Fellow: Alan Matheson

Paper Structure

The paper covers the following modules:

  • Statutory planning framework
  • Plan preparation, monitoring, review and changes
  • Plan implementation - resource consent and other consent processes
Teaching Arrangements

A two-hour lecture every week.

Textbooks

Essential readings will be set for each lecture, a list of recommended readings is available on the learning management system and texts are included in the attached course outline.

Course outline

View the course outline for PLAN 438.

Graduate Attributes Emphasised
Communication, Critical thinking, Cultural understanding, Ethics, Environmental literacy, Information literacy, Research, Self-motivation, Teamwork.
View more information about Otago's graduate attributes.
Learning Outcomes

On completion of the paper students should:

  • Be familiar with planning frameworks for resource management, local government, iwi, conservation, transportation and heritage.
  • Understand the origins, philosophy, purpose and principles of the RMA and its reform - the Natural Environment Bill and the Planning Bill.
  • Understand the principles of Te Tiriti o Waitangi, their "translation" into the Resource Management framework and the practical application of these principles in planning practice.
  • Appreciate the political dynamics of planning and the role of the media in framing environmental and resource management issues.
  • Be aware of other current areas of Government legislative reform.
  • Recognise the role of the New Zealand Planning Institute and issues relating to professional ethics and the NZPI Code of Conduct.
  • Be familiar with the public policy cycle and generic policy development process under the RMA (Schedule 1) and its reform - the Natural Environment Bill and the Planning Bill.
  • Understand the resource management aspirations of Māori and the role of Iwi planning documents within policy development processes.
  • Demonstrate the ability to interpret, analyse and apply the contents of plans and policy statements to "real world" and "real time" planning issues.
  • Be able to utilise "Plain English" principles when writing planning reports as part of course assessments.
  • Be able to apply evaluative skills and arrive at recommendations on complex policy issues.
  • Appreciate issues around the use of subjective/objective knowledge, Mātauranga Māori knowledge systems and the policy/science interface.
  • Be familiar with key planning requirements, assessments, processes under RMA (s88, Schedule 4) and its reform - the Natural Environment Bill and the Planning Bill.
  • Demonstrate skills in site analysis, interpreting and sourcing land information, community and environmental data, interpreting plans submitted with development proposals and the use of scale rules.
  • Have skills in the analysis of issues and proposals and an ability to arrive at an evaluative opinion based on robust analysis.
  • Demonstrate written and verbal skills and the ability to adapt to different audiences.
  • Be familiar with decision-making structures and processes at the local, regional and national level.
  • Recognise the ethical and expert role of planners as distinct from advocates.
Assessment details

PLAN 438 is 100% internally assessed.

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