Community Input Helps Shape Final Māpua Masterplan
The Mayor and Councillors voted 12–1 in favour at the deliberations hearing held on Thursday, 5 June at the Council Chambers in Richmond. Formal adoption by the full Council is expected on 31 July 2025.
This approval marks a major milestone and reflects the valuable contributions made by the Māpua and Ruby Bay communities throughout the process. Community feedback played a key role in shaping the final plan — from public meetings and surveys to written submissions, a wide range of ideas and perspectives were considered. While we recognise the plan may not satisfy everyone, we believe it represents a balanced approach that meets future growth needs while honouring community aspirations.
Key outcomes in the Masterplan include:
Securing Kite Park's future as a recreational area
Preserving the cultural heritage of Grossi Point
Supporting diverse housing options to accommodate future residents
Enhancing recreational linkages while protecting natural habitats
Community support for housing diversity was especially clear in feedback and is reflected in the final plan.
Although the Masterplan is a long-term guide, we are preparing to implement key actions, including initiating a change to the Tasman Resource Management Plan in August 2025. This will involve collaboration with landowners and completing a heritage assessment of Grossi Point.
We will continue to provide regular updates as implementation progresses.
Thank you to everyone in the Māpua and Ruby Bay communities for your engagement, patience, and ideas — your input has helped shape a plan that reflects both community values and future needs.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Scoop
01-07-2025
- Scoop
The Taxpayers' Union Is Calling Out Tasman District Council For Treating Family Pets Like Major Infrastructure Projects
The Taxpayers' Union is calling out Tasman District Council for treating family pets like major infrastructure projects, after a local dog owner was slapped with a jaw-dropping $1,400 fee for a resource consent just to keep three dogs on his rural property. 'In Tasman, puppies now need planning permission,' says Taxpayers' Union spokesperson, Tory Relf. 'Since when did the council decide dogs are a consenting activity? What's next – building consent for a kennel? LIM reports on Labradors?' "According to RNZ, the owner was shocked to learn that having more than two dogs on her lifestyle block required a process usually reserved for housing developments or sewage treatment plants." 'We love dogs, but this policy's gone walkies. A council that thinks someone needs to file paperwork and fork out over a grand just to give a home to a pup needs to have its head checked, preferably by a vet.' The Taxpayers' Union is urging Tasman District Council to roll over on this ridiculous regulation.
Scoop
30-06-2025
- Scoop
Tasman Resource Management Plan Is Now Online
After 27 years in paper form, Resource Management Plan (TRMP) is now online. Whether at home, in the office, or out in the field, you can now access the plan anytime from anywhere. The move to publish the TRMP online is timely recognition of the plan's successful evolution and its mission to respond to environmental challenges and legislative mandates. Because Tasman is a unitary authority, the TRMP effectively replaces what would elsewhere be multiple separate plans—a district plan and a suite of regional plans—providing a unified framework for resource management and land use planning in the district. Transformation Integration of the district and regional plans was a key outcome from the Resource Management Act 1991 (RMA) which combined and updated the existing County and District Schemes (land use and subdivision), the Regional Coastal Plan (coastal marine area management) and Catchment Board plans into a single integrated document to streamline resource management. The unified planning framework that emerged from the 1991 RMA reforms has provided the foundation for managing one of New Zealand's most dynamic regional economies, where strategic resource management directly enables sustainable development. Since its establishment post-1991 RMA enactment the TRMP has matured into a sophisticated and integrated planning instrument that uniquely combines district and regional governance functions. Work is now underway that will replace the RMA with two new acts focused on property rights, development, and environmental protection, with legislation expected before the 2026 election. Beyond the election the TRMP is likely to remain as the operative planning document for the district for several years, during which a new national system will be developed and implemented. TRMP Integrated Planning Framework This infographic illustrates how Tasman's unitary authority status enables a more comprehensive approach to resource management than typical territorial authorities. Unlike separate district and regional plans, the TRMP consolidates these functions into a single integrated framework. Aspect District Planning (Typical Functions) Tasman Resource Management Plan (TRMP) Governing Body City or District Council (territorial authority) Tasman District Council (unitary authority) Scope Land use, subdivision, local infrastructure, bylaws Integrated district and regional resource management Coverage Local land use and development Local land use and development, Land, water, air, soil, coastal marine area Plan Documents District Plan Single combined plan (TRMP) Regulatory Focus Zoning, building consents, local services Sustainable management of natural and physical resources Integration Separate from regional council plans Combines district and regional functions Examples of Functions Urban growth, local roads, parks, community facilities Urban growth, local roads, parks, community facilities, Water quality, air quality, coastal management, hazards Economic Development The TRMP is Tasman's roadmap for managing our unique environment and enabler of sustainable economic growth. Tasman has a GDP of $3.06 billion and, according to recent census data, was one of the fastest growing regions in New Zealand, with a population and dwelling growth of 10.3% and 11% respectively between 2018 and 2023. Richmond, as an example of our growth dynamics, has a population projected to increase from about 17,400 in 2024 to 23,270 by 2054. This growth reflects a strong recent annual rate of around 3.3%, making Richmond the fastest-growing urban area in the region. Housing demand is expected to require 1,152 new dwellings between 2024 and 2034, and an additional 2,156 dwellings from 2034 to 2054. Our regional economic strategy, including the Nelson Tasman Future Development Strategy, which the TRMP supports through land use and infrastructure planning, aims to accommodate significant housing growth and infrastructure investment to sustain this economic expansion. The TRMP is a strategic approach to sustainable resource management, systematically addressing the district's complex environmental challenges through regular updates that encompass urban development pressures, natural hazard mitigation, freshwater ecosystem protection. Current updates will include further freshwater protections, landscape conservation, and coastal zone management. Effective Regional Coordination Regional councils play a vital role in managing environmental resources, natural hazards, and infrastructure that support community wellbeing and economic growth. The coordination that unitary councils provide for land and water management, hazard mitigation, and infrastructure resilience results in streamlined and coherent management of land use, water, coastal areas, and environmental protection. All of which supports community wellbeing and economic growth. The TRMP story fits squarely within this work and proves how regional-scale planning and policy development enable coordinated growth, hazard resilience, and resource protection, aligning local actions with national infrastructure priorities.
Scoop
29-06-2025
- Scoop
Tasman Mayoral Relief Fund Open For Donations
Following a government contribution of $100,000 to the Tasman Mayoral Relief Fund earlier today, the fund is now open to accept donations from the public. Any person or organisation wishing to donate to the Nelson Tasman Mayoral Relief Fund can deposit funds into the Tasman District Council bank account 12-3193-0002048-00. When making a donation, please use the reference 'Mayoral Relief Fund'. Tasman District Deputy Mayor Stu Bryant says the region has experienced significant and widespread damage. 'The impact of this event will be felt for months, particularly within Tasman's agricultural sector, which has been hit hard,' he says. 'We've heard from many people across Tasman wanting to help. One of the most effective ways to support the recovery is by donating to the Mayoral Relief Fund. It enables us to reach those who aren't able to access assistance through other channels.' The Fund will be open to any resident, ratepayer, business owner, and not-for-profit organisation in Tasman regions that have suffered financial hardship as a result of the weather event that began on Friday 27 June 2025. The fund will provide assistance on a one-off basis for extraordinary circumstances where real need can be shown. Those who wish to apply for the Mayoral Relief Fund can email MayoralRelief@ 'This event has caused immense devastation across the region — but amid the hardship, the incredible way our communities have stepped up to offer help and support has been truly heartening,' says Stu.
