Resource Consents

NatureBase Land & Water provides resource consent advice and application support for farmers, businesses and land managers across Canterbury and throughout New Zealand. We help you understand consent requirements, prepare applications and work through the council process.

Talk to Our Team

15+ Years Industry Experience

Certified Environmental Practitioner (CEnvP)

Canterbury Based, Nationwide Support

Agricultural and Industry Policy Expertise

NatureBase Land and Water prepare and manage resource consent applications for a range of activities, with particular expertise in intensive farming. We help identify the information needed, coordinate specialist input where required and liaise with councils throughout the process.

Our services

Resource Consent Advice and Application Support

Whether you are planning a new activity, changing an existing operation or approaching the expiry of a consent, we help you understand what is required and develop a clear path forward.

Consent Requirements and Planning Advice

Establish whether your proposed activity needs resource consent and identify the relevant regional and district planning requirements. We review your proposal, flag potential constraints and explain the information needed to progress.

Resource Consent Applications

Preparation of application documents and assessments of environmental effects, tailored to your activity and site. We bring together the planning assessment, operational information and supporting material needed for council consideration.

Specialist Input and Council Liaison

Identify and coordinate specialist assessments where required, such as odour, ecological or engineering advice. We liaise with council staff, respond to requests for further information and keep you informed as the application progresses.

Replacement Consents and Consent Changes

Support for replacing expiring consents and applying to change existing consent conditions. We review your current approvals and proposed activities to help identify the appropriate application pathway.

FLEXIBLE SUPPORT

Support for the Whole Process or a Specific Step

We can manage the preparation and coordination of your resource consent application or provide targeted advice at a particular stage.

Full application support provides a consistent point of contact, bringing together documentation, specialist input and council communication.

Targeted support is available if you need an initial consent requirements check, a review of existing conditions, help with a council information request or advice to move an application forward.

Our CLIENTS

Who We Work With

We support clients who need practical environmental planning advice grounded in an understanding of their activities. Our focus includes agriculture, rural businesses and managed open spaces.

Farmers and Growers

Resource consenting support for new and existing farming activities, with particular expertise in intensive farming and the environmental issues associated with livestock operations.

Businesses and Landowners

Advice and application support for changes to activities, helping you understand how planning requirements affect your proposal and property.

Open Space Owners and Managers

Consenting advice for suitable parks, reserves and restoration projects, including planting, landscaping and works near waterways where consent requirements may arise.

how we work

Our Approach to Resource Consenting

A well-prepared consent application starts with understanding the activity, the site and the issues that need to be addressed. We focus on identifying requirements early and providing clear advice throughout the process.

Understand the proposal. We discuss your objectives, review available information and visit the site where needed to understand the activity and its surroundings.

Identify requirements early. We assess the relevant planning provisions, existing consents and potential environmental effects, including any need for specialist advice or consultation.

Prepare a coordinated application. We bring the supporting information together into a clear application that explains the proposal, its effects and how they will be managed.

Keep you informed. We maintain communication with you and the council, explain information requests and discuss proposed conditions so you understand their practical implications.

Our expertise

Our Experience and Credentials

NatureBase Land & Water draws on more than 15 years’ experience across the public and private sectors, including extensive work with agricultural industry organisations.

Our experience includes resource consenting, environmental compliance, council engagement and regional and district planning. Intensive farming is a particular area of expertise, including issues such as odour, discharges and the relationship between farming activities and neighbouring land uses.

Our professional credentials include:

Certified Environmental Practitioner (CEnvP)

Postgraduate Diploma in Environmental Management

Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science

Member of the Resource Management Law Association (RMLA)

We connect the technical requirements of the consenting process with practical considerations for operating and managing your site.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I know whether I need resource consent?

Consent requirements depend on the activity, its location and the relevant planning rules. We can review your proposal and existing approvals to identify whether consent is required and explain the next steps.

Can you help with resource consents for intensive farming?

Yes. Intensive farming is a particular area of expertise. We understand the operational needs of livestock businesses and the planning issues that can arise, including odour, discharges and effects on neighbouring properties.

Can you help replace an expiring resource consent?

Yes. We can review your existing consent, discuss your ongoing activities and help prepare an application for a replacement consent. Getting advice early allows time to identify information needs and plan the application process.

What if I want to change an activity that already has consent?

We can review the existing consent and proposed changes to determine the appropriate pathway. Depending on the circumstances, this may involve applying to change consent conditions or seeking a new consent.

Will I need specialist reports?

Some applications require specialist assessments to address particular environmental effects. We identify likely requirements early and can coordinate input from relevant specialists as part of preparing the application.

How long will the consent process take, and what will it cost?

Timing and cost depend on the application’s complexity, the information required and the council process. We discuss the likely scope and our fees at the outset, identify separate council and specialist costs where possible, and advise you if requirements change.

Can you guarantee that my consent will be approved?

The council makes the decision, so approval cannot be guaranteed. Our role is to assess the proposal, explain potential issues and prepare a clear, well-supported application.

Can you help me understand my consent conditions?

Yes. We can explain what existing or proposed conditions mean for your operation and identify practical actions. Where ongoing assistance is needed, we also provide environmental compliance support.

OUR LOCATION

Resource Consenting Support in Canterbury and Nationwide

Christchurch • Canterbury • Throughout New Zealand

Based in Canterbury, NatureBase provides resource consent advice and application support for farming, commercial activities and suitable open space projects, with support also available elsewhere in New Zealand.

For projects outside Canterbury, contact us to discuss your activity, location and the assistance required.

work with us

Let’s Talk About Your Consent Requirements

Planning a new activity, changing your operation or reviewing an expiring consent? We can help you understand the requirements and plan your next steps.

Related Services

Explore our related services for practical help with environmental planning and regulatory requirements.