Built environment
Class 3.0.0 captures land uses that involve high levels of interference with natural processes, generally in association with the built environment of closer settlement and supporting infrastructure. The level of intervention may be high enough to completely remodel the natural landscape – the vegetation, surface and groundwater systems, and land surface.
However, land used for active recreational purposes and/or tourism (e.g. mountain bike parks) outside of urban areas and that are not captured in other land-use categories may be captured under the ‘Outdoor recreation’ category, which is a subclass of the built environment, though may still retain much natural character.
3.1.0 Residential
Section titled “3.1.0 Residential”This captures land uses primarily designated for private, long-term human habitation, encompassing a variety of housing types and densities.
The following subclasses are proposed. Some alignment with the National Planning Standards (Zone Framework Standard) (MfE 2019) has been considered in the development of these classes. This information (as at time of classification) should be captured in the zone attribute to allow for some reclassification and specification.
The class includes holidays homes, retirement villages, student hostels and other forms of low-turnover or longer-term accommodation, even if these are run commercially. Shorter-term forms of accommodation (motels, hotels, holiday parks, etc.) are captured under ‘3.3.0 Commercial’ or ‘3.3.3 Hospitality’.
Areas characterised by a high concentration of housing units per unit of land area, typically in multi-storey buildings or high-rise developments, often found in urban centres supporting high population density.
Areas featuring a moderate concentration of housing units per unit of land area, typically in the form of townhouses, semi-detached, terraced, or low-rise apartment buildings, often situated in suburban or semi-urban settings in large cities, or central areas of provincial towns. Alignment to the Medium Density Residential Standards (MfE 2022) should be considered.
Residential properties within urban boundaries that fall within large-lot or low-density residential zones and are often single-family, one- to two-storey houses with yards and landscaping and lower population density.
Residential properties with low-intensity (non-commercial) land management practices (e.g. hobby farms) on land in rural or peri-urban areas. Typically featuring larger parcel sizes amidst agricultural or natural surroundings. Concordant with the ‘Rural lifestyle zone’ from the Zone Framework Standard.
3.2.0 Public recreation and services
Section titled “3.2.0 Public recreation and services”This land-use type includes land designated for recreational facilities and community amenities, serving the recreational needs and essential functions of the local population.
Land areas dedicated to leisure activities conducted in natural or semi-natural settings, such as parks, trails, beaches, sportsgrounds, camping grounds, zoos, botanic gardens, recreational reserves, sports grounds, tourist parks, mountain bike parks, etc. with a primary purpose of recreation and culture and typically with considerable unsealed vegetated areas.
These often cater to activities such as tramping, cycling, picnicking, and wildlife observation.
Parks or reserves with a high level of native bush or that are protected areas should be classified under class 1.
The specific identification of this land is intended to enable more ready identification of urban green space. However, this category may also be used to identify recreational areas that fall outside urban boundaries, such as mountain-bike parks.
Facilities designed for recreational activities conducted within enclosed or semi-enclosed structures, including sports centres, gyms, fitness clubs, swimming pools, and indoor sports arenas.
Land used for providing essential services and facilities to support the local community, including educational institutions, public healthcare facilities, libraries, museums, courts, prisons, civic buildings, emergency services, marae, religious buildings, cemeteries, and other public amenities for community functioning and well-being.
3.3.0 Commercial
Section titled “3.3.0 Commercial”This land-use type includes land in a built environment context that is used for private-sector economic activities, encompassing various sectors such as retail, office, hospitality, entertainment, healthcare, transportation, and warehousing. Central government offices when these are privately rented should be captured in this category, even if they are public-facing.
Areas used for the sale of goods and services directly to consumers, including shops, supermarkets, shopping malls, convenience stores, suburban dairies, and other retail outlets.
Land and buildings primarily used for administrative, professional, or managerial activities, including corporate offices, professional services, financial services (banks), government buildings, business parks, and coworking spaces.
Land and buildings providing accommodation, food, and beverage services to the public, including hotels, motels, resorts, bed and breakfast establishments, restaurants, bars, and nightclubs.
Land areas and facilities offering leisure and recreational activities for public enjoyment, such as cinemas, theatres, amusement parks, casinos, and concert venues.
Land dedicated to providing private medical services, including hospitals, speciality medical clinics, physiotherapists, medical offices, laboratories, and other healthcare facilities aimed at diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of illness or injury.
Privately owned land associated with the movement and storage of goods, including distribution centres, warehouses, logistics facilities, car dealerships, and commercial parking lots. Excludes airports, ports, roads, and train stations which should be classified under class 3.6.0.
3.4.0 Manufacturing and industrial
Section titled “3.4.0 Manufacturing and industrial”This land-use type includes land uses dedicated to production, processing, and industrial activities, contributing to the production of goods and materials for commercial purposes.
An area used for manufacturing, assembly or repairs of various products. Includes some specialised or purpose-built machinery and equipment for mass production across multiple industries.
An area where the principal use is food processing, packaging, and preservation. The building is most likely to be purpose built and may have extensive plant and equipment included (e.g. cannery, milk production plant).
An area with large-scale industrial use and significant infrastructure (e.g. car plant, paper mill).
An area with special improvements for the processing (milling and curing) of raw timber, wood products, and by-products.
An area with buildings, sheds and other infrastructure associated with farm enterprises, including barns, silos, storage sheds, and irrigation systems supporting agricultural operations.
If it is possible to discriminate a domestic area from a farm, the house and any adjoining non-productive (e.g. domestically landscaped) land should be classified as 3.1.4 Rural residential.
Areas with specialised improvements for the slaughter of stock and the preparation of meat for the wholesale market.
3.5.0 Utilities
Section titled “3.5.0 Utilities”This land-use type includes land allocated to providing electricity, gas, or water.
Includes facilities that produce electricity by burning fossil fuels such as coal, oil, and natural gas.
Facilities that use the energy of flowing or falling water, typically through hydroelectric dams, converting hydraulic energy into electrical power. Includes dams and canals.
Power generation from wind, including wind farms.
Facilities that harness sunlight using photovoltaic cells or solar thermal systems to convert solar radiation into electrical power.
Facilities and infrastructure associated with the distribution and transmission of electrical power from generation sources to end-users, including substations, transformers, and large, high-voltage transmission towers (pylons).
Facilities and infrastructure involved in the processing, storage, and transportation of natural gas, including gas treatment plants, storage facilities, and pipelines for transmission to consumers.
Facilities and infrastructure for extracting, purifying, treating, and transporting water from natural sources such as rivers, lakes, or reservoirs to meet various human needs, including drinking-water supply, irrigation, and industrial use. Includes drinking-water reservoirs themselves.
3.6.0 Transport and communication
Section titled “3.6.0 Transport and communication”This land-use type includes land allocated to infrastructure used for the transportation of goods or people, or navigation and communication equipment. Zoning of land for roading or rail purposes that has not yet been constructed should be captured as attributes.
Locations from which aircraft flight operations take place, including areas used for the accommodation of aircraft and coordination of air cargo or passengers. Includes heliports.
Includes the full roading corridor (i.e. sealed road areas and unsealed roadside strips and roading corridors), with the permeability attribute recorded as appropriate (sealed/unsealed).
Permanent rail transport tracks and associated infrastructure, including stations and terminals. The full rail corridor (track and land alongside tracks required for safety clearance) should be classified under this class.
Harbour locations where ships dock to transfer people or cargo to or from land, such as ports, docks, and wharves. Includes both the terrestrial parts of ports and the marine areas (harbours, navigational channels) that are specifically designated and controlled for activities associated with the port. The water attribute can be used to differentiate the terrestrial and marine parts of the same facility.
Includes radar stations, beacons, lighthouses, TV, and radio transmission towers, etc.
3.7.0 Mining
Section titled “3.7.0 Mining”This land-use type includes mining and extractive industries (including salt extraction from evaporation basins). Record the type of mining, if known, in the commodity field.
Land from which minerals, precious stones or coal is being extracted. Includes open-cut and deep-shaft mines.
Land from which stone, gravel, clay, slate, sand, soil, rock, or other construction materials are being extracted, for use in construction, infrastructure, and other industrial applications.
Tailings dumps and dams for the storage or treatment of waste material left over after the extraction of desired minerals or metals from ore, often stored in containment facilities or tailings ponds. Also includes quarrying output.
Basins and associated facilities used for the evaporation of water from irrigation drainage or (predominantly) salt extraction.
Land undergoing rehabilitation after mining activities, and unmined land within a mining permit.
3.8.0 Waste treatment and disposal
Section titled “3.8.0 Waste treatment and disposal”This land-use type includes land uses dedicated to managing and processing various types of waste materials, primarily associated with industrial and urban activities, including solid waste, wastewater, and stormwater, to mitigate environmental impacts and protect public health.
Designated areas for the disposal of solid waste, typically where waste materials are deposited, compacted, and covered with soil or other materials to reduce environmental contamination and control emissions. Landfill gas recovery systems (which generate electricity through the burning of methane in landfill gas) should still be classified as part of a landfill land use. Includes all class 1 to 5 landfills (e.g. landfills designed to receive inert construction materials are also included in this category).
Facilities where solid waste is collected, sorted, processed, and prepared for recycling or transfer to landfills or other disposal sites, aiming to minimise waste generation and promote resource recovery.
Wastewater generated from residential, commercial, and industrial activities within urban areas, requiring treatment to remove contaminants before discharge into water bodies or reuse for irrigation or other purposes. Includes municipal wastewater ponds and sewerage pipelines.
Areas where treated municipal wastewater is applied onto land surfaces for beneficial reuse, such as irrigation of agricultural crops, recharging groundwater aquifers, or enhancing soil fertility, following appropriate treatment processes to ensure environmental safety. This is often likely to be an ancillary use.
Infrastructure aimed at controlling and mitigating the impacts of stormwater runoff, including detention basins, drainage systems, retention ponds, and green infrastructure (rain gardens, wetlands), to prevent flooding, erosion, and pollution of water bodies.
3.9.0 Vacant and transitioning land
Section titled “3.9.0 Vacant and transitioning land”This land-use type includes areas that are currently unused or undergoing a transition from one land use to another, but in this case with a clear transition towards or within other concepts under the built environment.
Includes derelict land and developed land that is idle.
Previously undeveloped or agricultural land zones for or undergoing new construction projects or urban expansion, typically involving the conversion of rural or natural areas into residential, commercial, industrial, or infrastructural uses.
Areas of active redevelopment of previously developed (often industrial) land that may be abandoned, contaminated, or economically under-utilised, with the aim of rehabilitating and repurposing these sites for new urban activities. May include residential areas undergoing infill development that increase housing density.