Ericksen, N. (2003). Planning paradise with the Cheshire Cat: Governance problems under the RMA. A key-note address to New Zealand Planning Institute Conference, Hamilton, New Zealand, 23 May 2003.
Abstract
Much has been made of compliance costs to business and the need to process consents hastily in relation to the Resource Management Act in New Zealand. This obsession with compliance misses the fundamental
problem of implementing the RMA — shortcomings in governance. This address will shed some light on this pervasive problem, first by
characterizing RMA within the theoretical range of national mandates, then dealing
in turn with governance issues at each level in the intergovernmental hierarchy of
partnerships established by RMA and LGA. It concludes with brief mention of long term
council community planning, because it too is at risk if governance is not
improved.
