Heritage

District plan rules for the Heritage in Far North, New Zealand.

Summarised from the Far North District Plan. This is a summary compiled from the council's published plan, not the plan itself — and not legal or planning advice. Always verify against the council's official document before relying on any figure, and check whether a more recent plan change applies.

Heritage — Far North

Paihia Mission Heritage Area — Building Standards

RuleValueNotes
Maximum height8.5mGeneral permitted standard
Height in relation to boundaryRecession plane: 3.5m at 15m setback to 8.5m at 20m setbackFrom road boundary, permitted activities
Maximum height (restricted discretionary)8.5mGeneral; recession plane 3.5m at 10m setback to 8.5m at 20m from road boundary
Sunlight (recession plane)45° inward from 2m above groundPermitted activities
Sunlight (restricted discretionary)45° inward from 3m above groundRestricted discretionary activities
Front yard (road setback)15mPermitted activities
Front yard (restricted discretionary)10mRestricted discretionary activities
Side yard3m minimumWhere frontage <25m: 3m from one boundary; ≥25m: 3m from both
Site coverage (permitted)50% maximumNet ground floor area of all buildings
Site coverage (restricted discretionary)60% maximumNet ground floor area of all buildings
Outdoor parking setback15m from road boundaryNon-residential activities
Landscaping (front 15m)50% minimumLawn and specimen trees
Fencing (road/side boundary within 10m)1m maximum heightPermitted activities

Paihia Mission Heritage Area — Permitted Activities

ActivityStatus
Building height ≤8.5m (or recession plane compliance)Permitted
Sunlight compliance (45° recession plane from 2m)Permitted
Setbacks ≥15m road, ≥3m side (per width rules)Permitted
Landscaping 50% of front 15m with lawn/specimen treesPermitted
Fencing ≤1m on road/side boundary (within 10m)Permitted
Outdoor activities (parking, storage) ≥15m from roadPermitted

Paihia Mission Heritage Area — Restricted Discretionary Activities

ActivityStatus
Building height 8.5m max (with recession plane relief)Restricted Discretionary
Sunlight (45° from 3m above boundary)Restricted Discretionary
Reduced setbacks from 10m (road), 1.2m (side)Restricted Discretionary
Site coverage 60% maximumRestricted Discretionary
Visual amenity (parking, fencing, landscaping integration)Restricted Discretionary

Paihia Mission Heritage Area — Discretionary Activities

ActivityStatus
Development not complying with permitted/restricted discretionary standardsDiscretionary
Comprehensive Development Plan submission (required for non-compliance)Discretionary

Heritage Precincts (General) — Building Standards

RuleValueNotes
Maximum heightVariable by precinctKerikeri Basin, The Strand, Russell, Kohukohu, Mangōnui, Rawene, Te Waimate, Pouerua
Setbacks from boundariesVariableMinimum 1.2–3m side; 10m+ road setbacks
Fencing height1m maximumOn road or side boundary
Excavation/filling2m³ maximumIn The Strand, Pouerua, Kerikeri Basin Heritage Precincts
Excavation/filling area5m² maximumGround disturbance limit
Tree planting (Kerikeri Basin)3m maximum mature heightExotic species only

Heritage Precincts — Permitted Activities

ActivityStatus
Maintenance of existing buildings (visual appearance unchanged)Permitted
Minor repairs to historic sites, buildings, objectsPermitted
Painting with heritage colours (The Strand, Christ Church)Permitted
Trimming and maintenance of notable treesPermitted
Felling of dead notable trees (under arborist supervision)Permitted
Excavation ≤2m³ or ≤5m² disturbance (Strand, Pouerua, Kerikeri Basin)Permitted
Exotic tree planting ≤3m mature height (Kerikeri Basin)Permitted
Signs ≤0.2m² (The Strand, Kerikeri Basin)Permitted
Parking/vehicle access (not via The Strand)Permitted
Normal gardening/landscaping (no soil excavation >2m³ or >5m² ground disturbance)Permitted

Heritage Precincts — Controlled Activities

ActivityStatus
Maintenance of buildings (non-heritage, Strand/Christ Church without heritage colours)Controlled
Alterations to existing buildings (interior, not visible from public place)Controlled
New buildings not visible from public place (except Strand, Kerikeri Basin)Controlled

Heritage Precincts — Restricted Discretionary Activities

ActivityStatus
Alterations to building exterior (visible from public place)Restricted Discretionary
New buildings visible from public placeRestricted Discretionary
Alterations/new buildings in Kerikeri Basin Visual BufferRestricted Discretionary
Maintenance without heritage colours (Strand, Christ Church)Restricted Discretionary

Heritage Precincts — Discretionary Activities

ActivityStatus
Building demolition (except prohibited buildings)Discretionary
Development not meeting permitted/controlled/RD standardsDiscretionary

Heritage Precincts — Prohibited Activities

ActivityStatus
Demolition/removal of specified heritage buildingsProhibited
Land surface disturbance (King Paddock, Te Waimate)Prohibited

General Heritage Rules — Notable Trees

RuleValueNotes
Crown periphery (drip line)No excavation, filling, impermeable surfacesPlanting/weeding permitted
Trimming/maintenanceBy NZ Arboricultural Association member or qualified arboristEmergency work exemptions apply
Felling (dead trees)Permitted under arborist supervisionNon-dead felling is discretionary

General Heritage Rules — Historic Sites, Buildings, Objects

RuleValueNotes
Alterations/modificationsRequire resource consentMinor repairs/maintenance exempt
Minor repairs definitionPatching, piecing-in, material consolidationReplacement of minor components only
Maintenance definitionPainting, plumbing, guttering, water washingExcludes abrasive/high-pressure cleaning

General Heritage Rules — Archaeological Sites

RuleValueNotes
Alteration/disturbance of registered archaeological sitesProhibited without NZHPT AuthorityBuilding, excavation, filling, tree planting, ground disturbance all require consent

Sites of Cultural Significance to Māori

ActivityStatus
Building, excavating, filling, tree planting, vegetation clearanceRestricted Discretionary
Proposed by requesting partyExempt from this rule

Subdivision Standards — Heritage Resources

RuleValueNotes
Separation of heritage resourcesProhibitedCannot subdivide land closely associated with heritage significance
Archaeological assessmentRequiredWhere excavation/filling/land use may affect sites
Protection mechanismCovenant or other legal protection requiredAs condition of consent where risk exists

Infrastructure & Services — Heritage Overlays

RuleValueNotes
Infrastructure locationAvoid scheduled Heritage ResourcesPracticable alternative assessment required
Setback from Heritage Resources (standard)20m minimumBoth scheduled and adjacent resources
Earthworks proximity20m minimum from scheduled Heritage ResourcesAccidental discovery protocol applies

Other zones in Far North