Other central government agencies The responsibilities of councils under the RMA often interact with the roles of other agencies, including the: , for example, through managing drinking water, air quality, or sewage. The Ministry of Health has 20 district health boards across New Zealand, responsible for providing or funding health services in their areas. The Ministry also has public health units throughout New Zealand that focus on environmental health, among other functions. Councils may need to work with the public health units on pollution incidents. , for example, in managing hazardous substances the ) , for example, through its role in regulating forestry, agriculture, fisheries and biosecurity , for example, through its role in regulating building and construction, energy, Crown minerals, and infrastructure , for example, through its role in collecting from prosecutions. Role of the Courts The Courts play an important role in CME. They have significant powers to punish offenders, deter future offenders, and direct remediation of damage. District The District Court hears prosecutions under the RMA in the first instance. The High Court hears appeals from the District Court. For RMA prosecutions, District Court judges must also hold office as an Environment Court judge. For more information on the District Court and judges, see the . Environment Court The Environment is responsible for hearing applications for enforcement orders, among other RMA responsibilities (see Enforcement orders). The Environment Court is made up of Environment judges and commissioners. Commissioners have knowledge and experience in areas such as local government, resource management, environmental science, and the Treaty of Waitangi. The Environment Court usually sits with at least one Environment judge and one or more Environment commissioners. The has further information about the Environment Court, judges and commissioners. Managing multiple roles Regulatory functions Regional, district and unitary councils all out a wide range of other regulatory functions. For smaller councils, often only one team or one staff member carries out a range of regulatory functions under a variety of legislation. It can be difficult for one team or staff member to effectively carry out their RMA compliance, monitoring and enforcement responsibilities as well as their responsibilities under the RMA (eg, consenting and and other legislation.
Other central government agencies The responsibilities of councils under the RMA often interact with the roles of other agencies, including the: , for example, through managing drinking water, air quality, or sewage. The Ministry of Health has 20 district health boards across New Zealand, responsible for providing or funding health services in their areas. The Ministry also has public health units throughout New Zealand that focus on environmental health, among other functions. Councils may need to work with the public health units on pollution incidents. , for example, in managing hazardous substances the ) , for example, through its role in regulating forestry, agriculture, fisheries and biosecurity , for example, through its role in regulating building and construction, energy, Crown minerals, and infrastructure , for example, through its role in collecting from prosecutions. Role of the Courts The Courts play an important role in CME. They have significant powers to punish offenders, deter future offenders, and direct remediation of damage. District The District Court hears prosecutions under the RMA in the first instance. The High Court hears appeals from the District Court. For RMA prosecutions, District Court judges must also hold office as an Environment Court judge. For more information on the District Court and judges, see the . Environment Court The Environment is responsible for hearing applications for enforcement orders, among other RMA responsibilities (see Enforcement orders). The Environment Court is made up of Environment judges and commissioners. Commissioners have knowledge and experience in areas such as local government, resource management, environmental science, and the Treaty of Waitangi. The Environment Court usually sits with at least one Environment judge and one or more Environment commissioners. The has further information about the Environment Court, judges and commissioners. Managing multiple roles Regulatory functions Regional, district and unitary councils all out a wide range of other regulatory functions. For smaller councils, often only one team or one staff member carries out a range of regulatory functions under a variety of legislation. It can be difficult for one team or staff member to effectively carry out their RMA compliance, monitoring and enforcement responsibilities as well as their responsibilities under the RMA (eg, consenting and and other legislation.
best-practice-guidelines-cme-final.docx