Source: Auckland Council
Under the proposal, the standards for assessing new helipads would be updated, and a reference to the New Zealand Coastal Policy Statement would be added to the islands’ planning rules. Building a helipad on Waiheke or Aotea Great Barrier will remain a ‘restricted discretionary activity’. This means you need resource consent to build one, and that the council will apply the relevant laws when assessing each application, determining if it should be approved or not.
Reviewing the Auckland Unitary Plan
“This is a step that we can take ahead of our full review of the Auckland Unitary Plan, which will start at the end of 2026. It intends to help manage helipads before this starts,” says John Duguid, General Manager of Planning and Resource Consents.
“Helicopter movements and landing pads will be considered again as part of the review of the unitary plan, particularly as the plan will be extended to include the Hauraki Gulf Islands,” he says.
“Today’s decision by the Policy and Planning Committee is a step in the right direction but there’s still a long way to go,” says Aotea / Great Barrier Local Board chair Izzy Fordham.
“Aotea / Great Barrier Local Board sees this as an interim measure that will add an extra layer of consideration to applications, and we welcome that.”
Submit your views
This plan change is due to be publicly notified in coming weeks. You will be able to make a submission on the Auckland Council website.
