Current: Plan Change 96

He Kāinga Tahi - One Home Together

Plan Change 96 - Papakāinga

We know the special relationship between Māori and the whenua, but current planning rules need to be improved to help Māori realise housing dreams. Through this mahi we will work to make the District Plan less restrictive towards the development of papakāinga - allowing homes and associated community facilities on more whenua Māori to be developed and owned by those with ancestral connections.

Community consultation

Western Bay of Plenty District Council has sought the community's views on proposed changes being prepared to the District Plan that will further enable papakāinga development in the district. The community consultation period was from 17 October to 14 November 2024. Further information can be found on our consultation website Your Place.

Next steps

The National Environmental Standards for Papakāinga (NES-P) came into force on 2 July 2026. Council is in the process of editing the District Plan to remove rules which conflict with the more enabling provisions of the NES.

The preparation of our Plan Change is currently on hold as we consider how the NES has addressed the same matters which were to be looked at by the Plan Change.