As part of nationwide improvements to planning processes, and to bring us in line with many countries in the world, we are working on protecting sites of historical and cultural value.
The existing plan already has protections in place for heritage sites such as Māori rock art; the whale bones at the corner of Claremont and Taiko Roads; notable trees; early homesteads; public buildings; churches; and the Victorian/Edwardian character of Stafford Street in Timaru.
The District Plan looks to expand on these historical sites and areas of significance. We have worked in partnership with Te Rūnanga o Arowhenua – who hold mana whenua status in in Timaru District – to identify Sites and Areas of Significance to Māori (SASM).
These sites have historical and cultural importance and carry deep meaning for mana whenua. They include burial sites, traditional food gathering sites, traditional trails, and sites of spiritual importance. These were initially identified and consulted publicly on in the Draft District Plan in 2020.
The protection of New Zealand's natural and cultural heritage is a matter of national importance and recognised in the Resource Management Act. The RMA requires us to recognise and provide for, as matters of national importance, the relationship of Māori to their ancestral lands, water, sites, wāhi tapu, and other taonga, and the protection of historic heritage (defined to include sites of significance to Māori including wāhi tapu) from inappropriate subdivision, use and development.
I've been informed I have an SASM on on my land, how does it effect me?
On a day to day basis, very little. District plan provisions don't stop you from using your land in its existing form or making minor improvements. The rules only kick in when your decide to make a change to something to an extent that it requires a resource consent.
In line with other zoning rules, if the property is located within a SASM overlay, the District Plan sets out the activities that can be undertaken as a permitted activity and those activities that require a resource consent. The SASM overlay levels vary in terms of cultural sensitivity, and restrictiveness, with wāhi tapu sites being the most sacred.
Most land use changes that require a resource consent due to a SASM rule being triggered will also require a resource consent under other provisions within the District Plan due to additional rules being triggered.
How do I find out exactly what's on my land?
The easiest way to find out is to go to our District Plan Online Here you can put your address into the search box and it will show you all the district plan rules that will apply to future developments on your property. Some definitions of what the SASM zones are below.
Easy to follow guides to using the ePlan are available here.
What are the different types of SASM, and how do they affect me?
| Site Type | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Wāhi tupuna | These are broad geographical areas/ cultural landscapes that hold significant value to Kāi Tahu due to the concentration of wāhi tapu or taoka values, or the importance of the area to cultural traditions, history or identity. Within these areas, there are specific rules relating to earthworks, but there are no other additional controls within these areas. |
| Wāhi taoka | These are land-based places that are treasured due to their intrinsic values and critical role in sustaining life and providing for needs of present and future generations. Examples include repo raupō (wetlands), wai puna (springs) and mahika kai (food gathering areas). It is proposed that consent is required for earthworks, plantation forestry, mining and quarrying and intensively farmed stock within these areas; and there are controls on buildings location and size and indigenous vegetation clearance. |
| Wāhi tapu | These are sacred sites or areas that are land-based. Examples include urupā (burial grounds), pā (settlements), tuhituhi o neherā (rock art sites) and tauraka waka (landing places). It is proposed that consent is required for earthworks, buildings and structures, temporary events, plantation forestry, some tree planting, mining and quarrying and intensively farmed stock within these areas. |
| Wai taoka | These are waterway-based places that are treasured due to their intrinsic values and critical role in sustaining life and providing for needs of present and future generations. Examples include repo raupō, wai puna and mahika kai. It is proposed that consent is required for earthworks, buildings and structures, plantation forestry, mining and quarrying and intensively farmed stock within these areas; and there are controls on indigenous vegetation clearance. |
| Wai Tapu | These are sacred sites or areas that are waterway-based. Examples include urupā, pā, tuhituhi o neherā and tauraka waka. It is proposed that consent is required for earthworks, buildings and structures, temporary events, plantation forestry, mining and quarrying and intensively farmed stock within these areas; and there are controls on indigenous vegetation clearance. |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who are mana whenua in our district?
The hapū who hold mana whenua (The people who have customary authority over an area and its resources) in Timaru District are Kāti Huirapa. The rohe (jurisdiction) of Kāti Huirapa extends over the area from the Rakaia River in the north to the Waitaki River in the south. The Papatipu Rūnanga (elected members) that represents Kāti Huirapa is Te Rūnanga o Arowhenua.
The hapū who hold mana whenua (The people who have customary authority over an area and its resources) in Timaru District are Kāti Huirapa. The rohe (jurisdiction) of Kāti Huirapa extends over the area from the Rakaia River in the north to the Waitaki River in the south. The Papatipu Rūnanga (elected members) that represents Kāti Huirapa is Te Rūnanga o Arowhenua.
What is a Site and Area of Significance to Māori?
The sites and areas of significance to Māori (“SASM”) are defined by the RMA as historic heritage and are places and features that are of historical, cultural and/or spiritual significance to Māori. They carry deep levels of meaning and association for mana whenua. The SASM are broken into five overlays detailed above.
The sites and areas of significance to Māori (“SASM”) are defined by the RMA as historic heritage and are places and features that are of historical, cultural and/or spiritual significance to Māori. They carry deep levels of meaning and association for mana whenua. The SASM are broken into five overlays detailed above.
Why are SASM important?
The protection of SASM is a matter of national importance and recognised in the Resource Management Act.
These are places that mana whenua value as part of their cultural heritage and whakapapa. Some may be specific areas such as burial sites or rock art, while others may indicate traditional food gathering sites or traditional trails. It’s important that these are identified and protected as they make up part of our local shared heritage.
Part 2, section 6(e) and (f) of the RMA requires decision makers to recognise and provide for, as matters of national importance, the relationship of Māori to their ancestral lands, water, sites, wāhi tapu, and other taonga, and the protection of historic heritage (defined to include sites of significance to Māori including wāhi tapu) from inappropriate subdivision, use and development.
The protection of SASM is a matter of national importance and recognised in the Resource Management Act.
These are places that mana whenua value as part of their cultural heritage and whakapapa. Some may be specific areas such as burial sites or rock art, while others may indicate traditional food gathering sites or traditional trails. It’s important that these are identified and protected as they make up part of our local shared heritage.
Part 2, section 6(e) and (f) of the RMA requires decision makers to recognise and provide for, as matters of national importance, the relationship of Māori to their ancestral lands, water, sites, wāhi tapu, and other taonga, and the protection of historic heritage (defined to include sites of significance to Māori including wāhi tapu) from inappropriate subdivision, use and development.
Does having a SASM on my property give people legal rights to enter my property?
No, having a SASM identified on your property does not give the public the right to enter your property. In regard to the SASM, only authorised Council Officers have access rights for the purpose of inspecting compliance with the relevant SASM rules.
No, having a SASM identified on your property does not give the public the right to enter your property. In regard to the SASM, only authorised Council Officers have access rights for the purpose of inspecting compliance with the relevant SASM rules.
Why did the rules have immediate legal effect when the plan is notified?
The RMA identifies some matters that are so important that the rules are put in place as soon as a plan is formally publicly notified. Historic Heritage – including SASM – is one of these important matters. Other areas of the Plan which have immediate legal effect include changes to the minimum allotment size for subdivision in the General Rural zone, the drinking water protections, activities on the surface of the water, the ecosystems chapter, heritage chapter, and accessible vehicle parking and minimum loading requirements. These additional provisions are not related to the SASM chapter, and are detailed in the Proposed District Plan which can be located on the TDC website (www.timaru.govt.nz/pdp) .
Providing legal effect requires the rules to be assessed during the resource consent process if they are triggered by a proposed activity.
Whilst the rules have immediate legal effect, the provisions must go through the statutory consultative process required by law under the Resource Management Act.
A list of rules having immediate legal effect can be viewed here.
The RMA identifies some matters that are so important that the rules are put in place as soon as a plan is formally publicly notified. Historic Heritage – including SASM – is one of these important matters. Other areas of the Plan which have immediate legal effect include changes to the minimum allotment size for subdivision in the General Rural zone, the drinking water protections, activities on the surface of the water, the ecosystems chapter, heritage chapter, and accessible vehicle parking and minimum loading requirements. These additional provisions are not related to the SASM chapter, and are detailed in the Proposed District Plan which can be located on the TDC website (www.timaru.govt.nz/pdp) .
Providing legal effect requires the rules to be assessed during the resource consent process if they are triggered by a proposed activity.
Whilst the rules have immediate legal effect, the provisions must go through the statutory consultative process required by law under the Resource Management Act.
A list of rules having immediate legal effect can be viewed here.
How have SASM been identified?
TDC has worked closely with local rūnanga, Arowhenua, to identify SASM. Rūnanga used a wide range of information from historic maps, oral histories and document archives held by agencies such as Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu and NZ Heritage to identify areas that are culturally significant to Arowhenua Rūnanga. Sites that were identified include for example, sites in which mana whenua lived/camped and gathered kai, burial sites, battle grounds, sites of spiritual significance and that is of importance to ancestors. These were looked at closely and their extents mapped and then how these SASM could be protected into the future.
TDC has worked closely with local rūnanga, Arowhenua, to identify SASM. Rūnanga used a wide range of information from historic maps, oral histories and document archives held by agencies such as Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu and NZ Heritage to identify areas that are culturally significant to Arowhenua Rūnanga. Sites that were identified include for example, sites in which mana whenua lived/camped and gathered kai, burial sites, battle grounds, sites of spiritual significance and that is of importance to ancestors. These were looked at closely and their extents mapped and then how these SASM could be protected into the future.
Why is Council adding these sites, when they haven’t been identified in the past?
The SASM identified in the Plan are not new, just new to Planning. They have formed a part of mana whenua knowledge and relationship with the land since mana whenua first settled in the Timaru area. The need to protect these sites from degradation is also not new, Te Rūnanga o Arowhenua has been making submissions on resource consents and engaged in discussions on how developments will affect these sites since before the Resource Management Act. However, protection measures have been ad hoc and mana whenua have lost or seen many of their sites and areas of significance degraded.
Councils have an obligation under legislation to protect these sites and to recognise and provide for the relationship of Māori and their culture and traditions with their ancestral lands, water, sites, wāhi tapu, and other taonga. However, Timaru District Council has recognised that SASM are a gap in their Plan and it is important that these remaining SASM are protected into the future. For this reason, Timaru District Council has worked alongside Te Rūnanga o Arowhenua to ensure the cultural heritage of South Canterbury is protected for future generations to know about and see.
The SASM identified in the Plan are not new, just new to Planning. They have formed a part of mana whenua knowledge and relationship with the land since mana whenua first settled in the Timaru area. The need to protect these sites from degradation is also not new, Te Rūnanga o Arowhenua has been making submissions on resource consents and engaged in discussions on how developments will affect these sites since before the Resource Management Act. However, protection measures have been ad hoc and mana whenua have lost or seen many of their sites and areas of significance degraded.
Councils have an obligation under legislation to protect these sites and to recognise and provide for the relationship of Māori and their culture and traditions with their ancestral lands, water, sites, wāhi tapu, and other taonga. However, Timaru District Council has recognised that SASM are a gap in their Plan and it is important that these remaining SASM are protected into the future. For this reason, Timaru District Council has worked alongside Te Rūnanga o Arowhenua to ensure the cultural heritage of South Canterbury is protected for future generations to know about and see.
I've made a submission to the Proposed Timaru District Plan, what next?
Public submissions on the Proposed District Plan closed on 15 December 2022. The statutory consultative process required by law under the RMA 1991 will be followed: Further Submission, Hearings, Decision, Appeals. A series of hearings will be planed and held. If you have indicated in your submission that you wish to be heard, we will contact you to schedule a time slot for you in the relevant hearing.
The Ministry for the Environment provides publications and information on the consultation process that can be viewed here.
Public submissions on the Proposed District Plan closed on 15 December 2022. The statutory consultative process required by law under the RMA 1991 will be followed: Further Submission, Hearings, Decision, Appeals. A series of hearings will be planed and held. If you have indicated in your submission that you wish to be heard, we will contact you to schedule a time slot for you in the relevant hearing.
The Ministry for the Environment provides publications and information on the consultation process that can be viewed here.
Who at council can I speak to about this?
The District Plan Review Team is your first point of contact. You can email the team at dprteam@timdc.govt.nz or all through Customer Services on 03 687 7200.
The District Plan Review Team is your first point of contact. You can email the team at dprteam@timdc.govt.nz or all through Customer Services on 03 687 7200.
Last updated: 03 Feb 2023