Plans, Reports, Bylaws & Policies
Information about and links to Annual Plans and Reports, Long Term Plans, the District Plan and key policies and bylaws.
Annual Plan 2020/2021

The Annual Plan was adopted on the 26th August. Download the Annual Plan Document HERE
The delay in the process was due to COVID-19 and the need to ensure the lowest rates increase possible. The rates increase of 10% signalled in the Three Year Plan was recognised as unacceptable in the current COVID-19 climate so staff and Councillors have worked hard to bring this down to 4%. Some of the big projects that Council will undertake in 2020/2021 are:
- A complete review of Rubbish and Recycling Services
- Address the loss of the all-weather access across the Waiau Toa/Clarence River
- Support the construction of the new Kaikōura Aquatic Centre
- Complete the Horizontal Infrastructure Rebuild
- Complete the District Plan Review of the Natural Hazards Chapter
- Continue to improve water quality, safety and security
- Maintain community facilities
- Progress the Provincial Growth Funded development of Wakatu Quay and South Bay Marina
- Lead the development of the Ten Year Long Term Plan 2021 - 2031
- Finalise the Financial and Corporate Sustainability Project
Contractor Health and Safety

The Kaikōura District Council is committed to ensuring a safe working environment as well as meeting the required duties as a Principal when engaging contractors to ensure the safety of employees, contractors, sub-contractors and members of the public.
To be able to undertake any work for the Kaikōura District Council all contractors must firstly become an Approved Contractor. You can download a copy of the Health and Safety Approved Information Booklet and Application Form here:
Health & Safety Approved Contractor Information Booklet - 2020
Health & Safety Approved Contractor Application Form - 2020
Or pick up a copy from the Council office at 96 West End, Kaikōura.
On receipt of the contractor’s health and safety information the company will be assessed for compliance to set safety standards. Once the contractor receives approved status they will be required to complete an induction and contractor approval will be reviewed every two years. Only approved contractors may be engaged to undertake any work for or on behalf of the Kaikōura District Council.
District Plan Review: Our homes | our hazards

The rolling review of the District Plan will start with the District Plan’s natural hazards provisions, using the standard plan change process under the Resource Management Act.
The current District Plan has been operative since 2008 and is due for review. In November 2018 Council confirmed the District Plan will be reviewed as a series of plan changes (a ‘rolling review’) rather than one change.
Council will work with the community to review the District Plan’s natural hazards provisions once all technical information and other requirements are in place. There will be many opportunities for the community to learn about the natural hazards our district faces and the areas they could affect.
Three Year Plan 2018-2021
The 3 Year Plan 2018-2021 sets big work programmes to tackle some of our District’s biggest issues, meet community needs and legal responsibilities.
The Maori proverb "Manaaki whenua, Manaaki tangata, Haere whakamua (Care for the land, care for the people, go forward)” provided the guiding theme for the 3 Year Plan.
Council believes this plan provides what’s needed for Kaikouras people, environment, land and its' future. It will help Council create a district that can move forward as a great place to live, with a strong, well-connected community that is ecologically exemplary and economically prosperous.
Key Plans, Bylaws and Policies
2019/2020 Completed between November 2019 and January 2020, 331 respondents
2018/19 Completed between November 2018 and January 2019, 313 respondents.
2017/18 Completed in June 2018 345 respondents.
2016/17 Completed in August 2017, 244 Respondents
2015/16 Completed in August 2016 180 respondents
The Kaikōura District Council Annual Plan is a plan for the financial year (from 1 July to 30 June). It sets out how much Council can spend on its' different operations including the services for our community such as roads, water, sewerage, rubbish, etc. It also determines how much we borrow, and how much your rates will be.
- Annual Plan 2019/2020
- 2018-2019 - Please refer to the Three Year Plan
- Annual Plan 2017/18
- Annual Plan 2016/17
- Annual Plan 2015/16 - Please refer to the Long Term Plan 2015-2025 Volume 1 & Volume 2
- Annual Plan 2014/15
- Annual Plan 2013/14
- Annual Plan 2011/12
The Annual Report compares results for the financial year with the plans set for that year. It covers actual operational delivery compared against budgets and performance targets.
If you require any further information about Council Bylaws please contact us.
Long-term plans generally set out the Council’s intentions for the next decade. They are reviewed every 3 years to keep them relevant and accurate, keep them moving in the right direction and addressing community outcomes.
The 2015-2020 Long-Term Plan is presented in two parts:
- Long Term Plan 2015-2025 Volume 1 (3.8MB) - a summary document
- Long Term Plan 2015-2025 Volume 2 (7.8MB) - detailed financial information
We only provide digital copies of Long-term Plans, Annual Plans or Annual Reports. If you need assistance please email us.
*Following the November 2016 earthquake, a Three Year Plan was prepared in lieu of the normal Long Term Plan. This was authorized by the government under an Order in Council.
The Kaikōura District Plan sets standards for development within our District. These standards aim to ensure natural resources and hazards are managed safely and sustainably.
The current version of the plan has been operative since 23 June 2008. A lot has changed in our district in last 10 years and now it’s time to review our plan and see how it can be improved to better meet the community’s needs.
In November 2018 Council confirmed the plan will be reviewed as a series of plan changes (a ‘rolling review’) rather than one change. The review will start with the District Plan’s natural hazards provisions.
District Plan 2008
Copies are also available in hard copy or on CD.
Table of Contents
1. Introduction
2. Policy and Legal Framework
3. User's Guide
4. Definitions
District-Wide Issues, Objectives, Policies and Rules
5. Tangata Whenua Values
6. Recreation and Open Space
7. Development and Tourism
8. Natural Hazards
9. Hazardous Substances
10. Utilities
11. Landscape and Amenity
12. Transport
13. Subdivision
14. Financial Contributions
15. Historic Heritage, Tree Protection, Archaeological Sites
16. Outdoor Advertising
17. Relocated & Temporary Buildings and Temporary Activities
Zones - Issues, Objectives, Policies and Rules
18. Residential Zones
19. Settlement Zones
20. Business Zones
21. Marine Facilities Zone
22. Rural Zone
23. Kaikōura Peninsula Tourism Zone
24. Ocean Ridge Comprehensive Living Zone
Miscellaneous Sections
25. Assessment Matters for Guidance
26. Appendix
27. Submission Form - for publicly notified resource consent applications (form 13)
District Plan Decisions
- General, Maps and new Provisions
- Sections 1-5
- Sections 6-10
- Sections 11-14
- Sections 15-21
- Sections 22
- Designations
What is the Recovery Plan?
The Kaikōura District Recovery Plan provides a clear direction for restoring and enhancing our District. It is a major early step towards rebuilding our communities in a future-focused way, laying the foundations for a post-quake Kaikōura that is strong and successful.
Ultimately it is much more than a Recovery Plan. Together, the residents of the District “Re-imagined the Future”. There will be work to do for many years ahead but now we have a solid foundation on which to build.
The Plan divides recovery into five parts. To be successful all five parts must be developed together with the community at the centre.
The entire plan can be downloaded here, or download individual chapters from the sections below.
Kaikōura District Recovery Plan (PDF, 2.9 MB)
Community Recovery
Community recovery programme: Strong and caring communities (PDF, 360KB)
- Education, physical and psychosocial health of the community.
- Recreational and cultural facilities for all generations and the restoration of heritage sites and buildings.
Economic Recovery
Economic recovery programme: A diverse and sustainable economy (PDF, 263KB)
- Investment, business, labour and insurance liaison.
Built Environment Recovery
Built environment recovery programme: Quality facilities and infrastructure (PDF, 280KB)
- Housing, infrastructure, transport and buildings.
Natural Environment Recovery
Natural environment recovery programme: protecting and enhancing the natural environment (PDF, 291KB)
- Biodiversity, the coast and natural hazards.
Looking to the Future
Resilience programme: looking positively toward the future (PDF, 248KB)
- Communication, funding, finance, research, governance, coordination and project management of the recovery activities.
Where did the plan come from?
We started, nine days after the earthquake, by asking the community what you wanted.
On November 23 2016 over 280 people attended a meeting of Kaikōura District businesses. In December 2016 residents’ meetings and a community survey generated nearly 3000 ideas.
All this information was condensed into 34 themes which a January 2017 workshop used to create the first draft of the plan.
Developing a general plan for recovery comes within the overarching purpose of the Kaikōura District Council. Under the Local Government Act (Section 10) we are tasked with enabling democratic decision making and meeting the needs of our community today and into the future.
We are also guided by the principles in the Act that require us to be open, transparent and democratically accountable as well as taking into account the diversity of our community, its interests and the likely impacts of any decision we may make.
We work with the National Recovery Office.
Downloadable PDF application documents:
- Easter Sunday Trading Policy 2017
- Trading in Public Places Policy 2015
- Infrastructure Procurement Policy
- Development Contribution Policy
- Dog Control Policy
- Dangerous and Insanitary Buildings Policy 2019
- Class 4 Gambling Venue Policy
- Smokefree Outdoor/Public Places Policy
- Walking & Cycling Strategy
- TAB Board Venue Policy
- Delegations Manual
- Compliments, Complaints and Requests for Service Policy 2018
- Significance and Engagement policy 2014
- Risk Management Policy 2019
- Coastal Management Strategy (1998)
The following policies are included in the Long Term Plan:
- Environmental & Social Sustainability Policy
- Equal Employment Opportunities Policy
- Investment Policy
- Liability Management Policy
- Public / Private Partnership Policy
- Rates Postponement Policy
- Rates Remission Policy
- Revenue & Financing Policy
- Significance Policy
The Waste Minimisation Act 2008 (‘the Act’) requires local authorities to have a Waste Management and Minimisation Plan (WMMP) which contains a summary of the Council’s objectives, policies and targets for waste management and minimisation and indicates communicate how the Council will deliver on these objectives.
The Act also requires that such WMMPs are periodically reviewed, and such a review is now being undertaken. As part of this review a detailed Waste Assessment has been prepared that meets the requirements of section 51 of the Act, and this assessment document contains much of the information that underpins this WMMP and should be read in conjunction with it.
Download a copy of the draft Waste Management and Minimisation Plan
- Provision of a fortnightly kerbside refuse collection to urban Kaikoura properties
- Ending of kerbside recycling collections to Peketa, Goose Bay, Oaro and Hapuku
- Kerbside recycling collections in Kaikoura urban area become fortnightly
- Closing of the rural recycling centre at the Suburban School
Submissions in respect of the proposed WMMP can be made in writing, and should be addressed to:
The Chief Executive
Kaikoura District Council
PO Box 6
KAIKOURA 7300
Submissions must be received by Monday 25 January 2021.
It is however also stressed that the WMMP represents a plan and intent regarding the management of waste. It is not however an absolute commitment, and delivery of the plan will be dependent upon factors such as the affordability of implementation (including potential rates impact), which in this case will only become clear once an open tender process for the associated services has been conducted.
24 December 2020