Site Analysis

Specific local requirements may include:

• colour and glare restrictions (check the district plan; an example is the Queenstown Lakes District Council’s A guide to reducing glare and reflection  (PDF, 105KB)
• material use (see also district plan and covenants)
• presence of historically significant landscape features or archaeological sites
• building height and position restrictions (especially on ridge lines or prominent sites)
• preservation of existing natural features (such as native vegetation)
• demolition restrictions (for example, a new building will be subject to current District plan requirements, particularly for setbacks, while a renovated building can be restored utilising the existing setbacks)
• specific locality requirements (for example, the Waitakere Ranges in the Waitakere City Council District Plan, or the special zones contained within the Queenstown Lakes District Plan).

The design and location of the building should:

• respect the identity of the locality
• respect the scale and historical context of the neighbourhood – but it does not have to copy
• maintain landscape character – a good resource for rural subdivision is the Queenstown Lakes District Councils Good practice guide: rural subdivision (PDF, 4.31MB).

Wahi tapu/sacred sites

New Zealand has been settled for over 1000 years and there are many sites that have local or special significance to Maori. These sites may be known by local people but may not be identified on a LIM report. Talk first to the council to see if it is aware of significant sites in its area. If a site is suspected to have archaeological interest, contact New Zealand Historic Places Trust, and talk to the local iwi.

Development or building on sites identified as having historical significance can be more difficult.