Commissioner may decide how housing standards apply to Waimakariri
By David Hill, Local Democracy Reporter
A decision on whether Woodend and Pegasus will be included in new housing standards, may ultimately be decided by an independent commissioner.
There has been some confusion whether the new medium density residential standards, which allow for sub-dividing for up to three housing units or building up to three storeys on a single property, apply to Woodend and Pegasus.
Waimakariri District Council development planning manager Matt Bacon said the legislation was open to interpretation and he expected the planning process would ultimately define how the new rules applied to the district.
‘‘We have certainly had some submissions which deal with that particular issue, and the independent commissioner will consider those in making a decision.
‘‘I don’t think there is any wrong interpretation and it has to be that way because it is legislation which has to be applied nationally.
‘‘There is always going to be areas of variation around the country, so that’s why the submission process is so important.’’
The new housing rules, announced by the Government in October 2021, set the new standards as the default position for towns in high growth areas, such as Greater Christchurch.
The Waimakariri District Council (WDC) notified variations to the proposed District Plan in August last year to apply the new standards to Rangiora, Kaiapoi and Woodend/Pegasus.
Feedback from Environment Minister David Parker and Waimakariri MP Matt Doocey indicated the Government and the Opposition, which both supported the legislation, never intended Woodend and Pegasus to be included.
But the Canterbury Regional Policy Statement identified Woodend, Pegasus and Ravenswood as one urban area rather than separate towns.
The Christchurch City Council recently announced a variation to its Plan Change 14, which would apply the new standards primarily to the central city.
Bacon said his team would be looking at the Christchurch interpretation closely to see how it might apply to Waimakariri.
‘‘We are interested in having a look at some of the evidential basis they have applied and what scope there is to do something here.’’
Covenants preventing further sub-division were placed on properties in Pegasus and Ravenswood when they were first developed and Woodend-Sefton Community Board chairperson Shona Powell questioned how these would be enforced.
Bacon said covenants were a private agreement between a developer and landowner.
While they were legally binding, they were separate to the Resource Management Act and were not a part of the council’s consenting process.
‘‘If a resource consent is lodged, we are required to process it like any other consent.
‘‘When someone applies for a resource consent it is up to the applicant to make sure everything else is in place.
‘‘This includes building consents and covenants, before starting work.’’
He conceded there was a danger of resource consents on covenanted sections ending up in court.
‘‘I know they did look at covenants early on in the legislation, but it is not covered in the new legislation.
‘‘It will be interesting to see if it comes into the RMA reform,’’ Bacon said.
*Public interest journalism funded through New Zealand on Air.
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Hero
“I was born and raised in war. To be honest, those are not good memories.
I really like Iran, and I really miss it, but I couldn’t be myself there. Even though my family didn’t like my decision, I left Iran. I promised myself that I would do whatever I can for all communities, especially for the kids, so they do not have the same experience I had.
I studied software engineering in Iran and left in 2006. I went to Malaysia and stayed in Kuala Lumpur for seven years. I was admitted to Lincoln University to do my PhD here, but unfortunately, I couldn’t afford the expenses. I requested a scholarship, but they told me I had to be there for six months first. So, I stayed in Malaysia and did my PhD in network security. In December 2013, I came to New Zealand with a work visa.
It took me a while to connect with the Iranian community here. I volunteered with the Multicultural Council, SPCA, and community patrol, and I established the Christchurch Iranian Society in 2017. Before that, I started working on Radio Toranj, the only Farsi-language radio show in New Zealand.
One of the reasons I started organizing cultural events was to showcase Iranian culture. I wanted to show people that we have delicious food, colorful dresses, traditional customs, and our own instruments. My hope was to show people that we are not what you see in the media.
I am working to involve all the communities that celebrate Nowruz, the Persian New Year, in the Nowruz festival in March 2025. We want to share this celebration not only with our community but with the public as well. It’s better when it’s shared.
I remember the first time someone from Dunedin called me and asked, Hero, can you help? Something happened, and they keep declining Iranian visa applications. When I heard that, I felt insulted. We are still human, so how can they do that?
Through this journey, I’ve learned a lot. Every single day, people with different cases call me, and I try to share my knowledge and guide them as much as I can.
I have received several awards, including the Christchurch Civic Award and an Award of Recognition for my contributions to the community during the pandemic. In 2021, I established Canterbury Kia Ora Academy, a charitable trust. Through this charity, I can help other communities as well, not just the Iranian community.”
- Hero
View more stories, or nominate someone: @humansofchch
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