Built environment
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.
3.1.0 Residential
Section titled “3.1.0 Residential”Land uses primarily designated for private, long-term human habitation, encompassing a variety of housing types and densities.
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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 (e.g. townhouses, terraced housing, low-rise apartments), often in suburban or semi-urban settings.
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.
3.2.0 Public recreation and services
Section titled “3.2.0 Public recreation and services”Land designated for recreational facilities and community amenities, serving recreational needs and essential functions of the local population.
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Land areas dedicated to leisure activities conducted in natural or semi-natural settings (e.g. parks, trails, sportsgrounds, camping grounds, zoos, botanic gardens, recreational reserves), typically with considerable unsealed vegetated areas.
Facilities designed for recreational activities conducted within enclosed or semi-enclosed structures (e.g. sports centres, gyms, swimming pools, indoor arenas).
Land used for providing essential services and facilities to support the local community (e.g. educational institutions, public healthcare facilities, libraries, museums, courts, prisons, civic buildings, emergency services, marae, religious buildings, cemeteries).
3.3.0 Commercial
Section titled “3.3.0 Commercial”Land in a built environment context used for private-sector economic activities, including retail, office, hospitality, entertainment, healthcare, transportation, and warehousing.
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Areas used for the sale of goods and services directly to consumers (e.g. shops, supermarkets, shopping malls, convenience stores, suburban dairies, and other retail outlets.).
Land and buildings primarily used for administrative, professional, or managerial activities (e.g. corporate offices, professional services, banks, government buildings, business parks, coworking spaces).
Land and buildings providing accommodation, food, and beverage services to the public (e.g. hotels, motels, resorts, bed and breakfast establishments, restaurants, bars, nightclubs).
Land areas and facilities offering leisure and recreational activities for public enjoyment (e.g. cinemas, theatres, amusement parks, casinos, concert venues).
Land dedicated to providing private medical services aimed at diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of illness or injury (e.g. hospitals, specialist clinics, physiotherapists, medical offices, laboratories).
Privately owned land associated with the movement and storage of goods, including distribution centres, warehouses, logistics facilities, car dealerships, and commercial parking lots.
3.4.0 Manufacturing and industrial
Section titled “3.4.0 Manufacturing and industrial”Land uses dedicated to production, processing, and industrial activities, contributing to the production of goods and materials for commercial purposes.
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An area used for manufacturing, assembly, or repairs of various products.
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 (e.g. barns, silos, storage sheds, and irrigation systems) supporting agricultural operations.
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”Land allocated to providing electricity, gas, or water.
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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 hydroelectric dams) to generate electricity.
Power generation from wind, including wind farms.
Facilities that harness sunlight using photovoltaic cells or solar thermal systems to generate electricity.
Facilities and infrastructure associated with distribution and transmission of electrical power (e.g. substations, transformers, high-voltage transmission towers).
Facilities and infrastructure for processing, storage, and transport of natural gas (e.g. treatment plants, storage facilities, pipelines).
Facilities and infrastructure for extracting, purifying, treating, and transporting water from natural sources to meet human needs.
3.6.0 Transport and communication
Section titled “3.6.0 Transport and communication”Land allocated to infrastructure used for the transportation of goods or people, or navigation and communication equipment.
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Locations from which aircraft flight operations take place, including areas used for the accommodation of aircraft and coordination of air cargo or passengers (including heliports).
The full roading corridor, including sealed road areas and unsealed roadside strips.
Permanent rail transport tracks and associated infrastructure, including stations and terminals; includes the full rail corridor required for safety clearance.
Harbour locations where ships dock to transfer people or cargo (e.g. ports, docks, wharves), including terrestrial parts and designated marine areas (harbours, navigational channels) that are specifically designated and controlled for activities associated with the port.
Navigation and communication infrastructure (e.g. radar stations, beacons, lighthouses, TV and radio transmission towers).
3.7.0 Mining
Section titled “3.7.0 Mining”Mining and extractive industries (including salt extraction from evaporation basins).
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Land from which minerals, precious stones or coal is being extracted, including open-cut and deep-shaft mines.
Land from which stone, gravel, clay, slate, sand, soil, rock, or other construction materials are being extracted.
Tailings dumps and dams for storage or treatment of waste material left over after extraction, often stored in containment facilities or ponds (including quarrying output).
Basins and associated facilities used for 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”Land uses dedicated to managing and processing waste materials (solid waste, wastewater, stormwater), primarily associated with industrial and urban activities, to mitigate environmental impacts and protect public health.
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Designated areas for disposal of solid waste, where waste materials are deposited, compacted, and covered to reduce contamination and control emissions.
Facilities where solid waste is collected, sorted, processed, and prepared for recycling or transfer to landfills or other disposal sites.
Wastewater generated from residential, commercial, and industrial activities within urban areas requiring treatment before discharge or reuse; includes municipal wastewater ponds and sewerage pipelines.
Areas where treated municipal wastewater is applied onto land for beneficial reuse (e.g. irrigation, groundwater recharge, soil fertility enhancement), following appropriate treatment processes to ensure environmental safety.
Infrastructure aimed at controlling and mitigating stormwater runoff (e.g. detention basins, drainage systems, retention ponds, rain gardens, wetlands) to prevent flooding, erosion, and pollution.
3.9.0 Vacant and transitioning land
Section titled “3.9.0 Vacant and transitioning land”Areas that are currently unused or undergoing transition from one land use to another, with a clear transition towards or within built-environment land uses.
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Derelict land and developed land that is idle.
Previously undeveloped or agricultural land zoned for or undergoing new construction projects or urban expansion, involving conversion of rural or natural areas into built uses.
Areas of active redevelopment of previously developed (often industrial) land that may be abandoned, contaminated, or under-utilised, to rehabilitate and repurpose sites for new urban activities.