Council has prepared Plan Change 2 to amend the Puketapu Structure Plan Development Area (PSPDA) to the New Plymouth Part Operative District Plan (the Plan)

Plan Change 2 proposes to:

• Increase land for housing and open space - by rezoning land north of the current PSPDA.
• Create space for a small shopping area - by rezoning land at the corner of Airport Drive and the proposed Parklands Avenue extension within the existing PSPDA.
• Update planning maps - to show the latest information on waterbodies, roads, parks and walkways.
• Add a new policy - on adaptive management of earthworks.
• Make minor updates - to keep the plan accurate and up to date.

Two key documents outline the proposed changes: The Plan Change Report outlines the proposed amendments to the plan. The Section 32 Report identifies and assesses the environmental, economic, social, and cultural effects, and benefits and costs associated with the proposal, alongside other reasonably practicable options. All documents and their appendices are available under ‘Supporting Documents’ on the right‑hand side of this page.

Pursuant to Clause 5, Schedule 1 of the RMA, notice is hereby given of Proposed Plan Change 2 (PSPDA) to the New Plymouth Part Operative District Plan.

Submissions must be with the Council by 5pm on Tuesday 19 May 2026.

Plan Change 2 will have legal effect from the date that decisions on submissions are released.

For more information on the plan change process please view the What is a plan change page.

On 21 August 2025, changes to the Resource Management Act 1991 (RMA) required councils to stop work on any plan changes that had not yet reached a hearing. Council applied to the Minister for an exemption under section 80V of the RMA to allow this plan change to proceed. The Minister approved the exemption on 13 February 2026. Under section 80Y of the RMA, this plan change now has an approved exemption status.

How do I make a submission?

Anyone can make a submission on the proposed plan change. Submissions must be provided in writing using Form 5 of the Resource Management (Forms, Fees and Procedure) Regulations 2003. Council has made this form available online for electronic completion, or as a printable version for manual submission under 'Consultation Information'.

You can submit:

• Online via the Have Your Say page (Submission Form tab)
• Email to submissions@npdc.govt.nz
• Post a hard copy submission to NPDC, Reply Paid DX, DX Box NR59001, New Plymouth
• Hand deliver to the Civic Centre; libraries and services centres at Bell Block, Inglewood or Waitara

Submissions must be with the Council by 5pm on Tuesday 19 May 2026.

What happens with the submissions?

Council will summarise all submissions and publicly notify them so further submissions for or against points raised can be made. If requested by any submitter, Council will hold a hearing on the submissions received, where submitters will have the option to be heard by Council on their submission. Submitters also have the right to appeal the Council's decision, in respect of their submission, to the Environment Court.

For more information about the plan change process please view the What is a plan change page.