Ocean Ridge Plan Change 6 Decision - September 2026

The purpose of Plan Change 6 (PC6) is to amend the objectives, policies, rules and other methods in the Kaikōura District Plan that govern the subdivision, use and development in the Ocean Ridge Development Area (Ocean Ridge). Key changes proposed include an increase in the number of dwellings enabled from 336 to 486, and a corresponding increase in the size of, and mix of activities within, the Ocean Ridge ‘mixed-use’ area.

PC6 also include amendments to Ocean Ridge-related provisions in the Introduction, Urban Form & Development, Earthworks, Natural Hazards, Subdivision, Noise and Transport Chapters in the Plan.

The Proposal

S42a Report:

https://www.kaikoura.govt.nz/repository/libraries/id:2i17fvyhr17q9scmy0d8/hierarchy/Council/PC6%20Hearings/S42A%20Report%20-%20Jonathan%20Clease%20-%20Planning%20-%20FINAL.pdf

Commissioners Recommendation

https://www.kaikoura.govt.nz/repository/libraries/id:2i17fvyhr17q9scmy0d8/hierarchy/Council/PC6%20Ocean%20Ridge/Juliet%20March%2026%20updates%20hearings/Proposed%20Private%20Plan%20Change.pdf

Key Stages

Submissions

The Plan Change was notified on 20th November 2025. A total of 28 submissions were received.

View the Summary of Submissions

https://www.kaikoura.govt.nz/repository/libraries/id:2i17fvyhr17q9scmy0d8/hierarchy/Council/PC6%20Ocean%20Ridge/Juliet%20March%2026%20updates%20hearings/Summary%20of%20Submissions.pdf

Hearing

A hearing was held on 5th May 2026, which was facilitated by a panel of three independent commissioners.

Closure of Hearing

All hearing related materials, including statements of evidence, further evidence and legal agreements can be viewed here:

https://www.kaikoura.govt.nz/council/public-notices/zclosed-public-notices/ocean-ridge-plan-change-6-hearing

Decision

Following the hearing, the Commissioners recommended Plan Change 6 for adoption on 18th August 2026.

The Committee’s recommendation to adopt the Plan Change was resolved at Council on 26th August 2026.

A 30-working day appeal period will commence on Thursday 3rd September and will end at 5pm on 15th October 2026. Any appeal must be made on the prescribed form 34 under Schedule 1 of the Resource Management Act 1991.

Commissioners Recommendation

Council Report

Amended District Plan Chapters

Public Notice of Decision

What does this mean for me?

Under Section 14 of the RMA, any submitters and the applicants are able to appeal the Plan Change. Any party wishing to do so will need to seek independent legal advice about options to appeal.

If you have any questions about the project and changes, please contact planning@kaikoura.govt.nz