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Abstract
Under the Resource Management Act 1991 (NZ), the interpretation and implementation of environmental policy is primarily the responsibility of local government. The management of forestry operations may be influenced by statutory rules published in regional and district plans, and recommended best management practices (BMPs) published in guidelines. There are concerns that inconsistency between jurisdictions' rules have a negative impact on the forestry industry's financial and environmental outcomes. This research investigated and quantified the variation in Permitted Activity rules and BMPs, for culvert installation and earthworks, between New Zealand's 16 Regional Councils. Significant variation in these regional rules and BMPs existed in both the level of control (i.e., the number of rules and BMPs per council), and the nature of control (i.e., the proportion of rules or BMPs utilised). Further, the rules and BMPs of one council are seldom the same as another. This variation is apparent on both a national scale and when considering only neighbouring pairs of councils.
Acknowledgements
We wish to express sincere appreciation to the following people and organisations for their support, advice and assistance; Dr Elena Moltchanova, School of Mathematics and Statistics, University of Canterbury; Dr Pauline Barnett, School of Health Sciences, University of Canterbury; Mr Peter Weir, New Zealand Forest Owners' Association; Mr Torrey McDonnell, Ministry for the Environment; and the numerous members of the Forestry Industry and Regional Council staff who contributed to this research.