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 standard
Height in relation to boundaryRecession plane: 3.5m at 10m setback from road, rising to 8.5m at 20m setbackPermitted activity standard
Height in relation to boundary (restricted discretionary)Recession plane: 3.5m at 10m setback from road, rising to 8.5m at 20m setbackRestricted discretionary standard differs: 3.5m at 10m setback
Sunlight (45° recession plane)Measured inwards from 3m above ground levelPermitted activity standard
Sunlight (45° recession plane)Measured inwards from 3m above ground levelRestricted discretionary standard; measured from 3m height
Front yard setback15m from road boundaryPermitted activity standard
Front yard setback (restricted discretionary)10m from road boundaryRestricted discretionary standard
Side yard setback (road frontage < 25m)3m from one side boundaryPermitted activity standard
Side yard setback (road frontage ≥ 25m)3m from both side boundariesPermitted activity standard
Side yard setback (restricted discretionary, frontage < 25m)1.2m from one side boundaryRestricted discretionary standard
Side yard setback (restricted discretionary, frontage ≥ 25m)1.2m from both side boundariesRestricted discretionary standard
Site coverage (building)Maximum 50% of gross site areaPermitted activity standard
Site coverage (building)Maximum 60% of gross site areaRestricted discretionary standard
Boundary fencing heightMaximum 1mRoad or side boundary (10m from road)
LandscapingMinimum 50% of area between road boundary and 15m parallel line, predominantly lawn and specimen treesPermitted activity standard

Paihia Mission Heritage Area — Permitted Activities

ActivityStatus
Building height (≤8.5m general; recession plane within 20m of road)Permitted
Sunlight compliance (45° recession plane from 3m height)Permitted
Front yard setback (15m from road)Permitted
Side yard setback (1.2–3m depending on frontage)Permitted
Building coverage (≤50% gross site area)Permitted
Boundary fencing (≤1m height on road/side boundaries)Permitted
Landscaping (≥50% frontal area with lawn/specimen trees)Permitted
Outdoor activities setback (15m from road for parking, storage)Permitted
Minor repairs and maintenance of historic buildings/objectsPermitted
Trimming and maintenance of notable treesPermitted (by NZAA member under supervision)
Felling of dead notable treesPermitted (by NZAA member, advance notice to Council)
Excavation ≤2m³, disturbance ≤5m² in designated heritage precinctsPermitted
Planting of exotic trees/shrubs (Kerikeri Basin, ≤3m mature height)Permitted
Maintenance of buildings in Pouerua Heritage PrecinctPermitted
Signs in Strand/Kerikeri Basin Heritage Precincts (≤0.2m²)Permitted
Car parking and vehicle access (not off The Strand)Permitted (Strand Heritage Precinct)
Landscaping with lawn, minimum hard surfaces (to protect character)Permitted

Paihia Mission Heritage Area — Restricted Discretionary Activities

ActivityStatusDiscretion Restricted To
Building height non-complianceRestricted discretionaryVisual domination of adjacent properties; intrusion into street scene; views to Paihia Scenic Reserve; building location vs. landforms/heritage resources
Sunlight (45° recession plane) non-complianceRestricted discretionaryImpact on scenic reserve use/enjoyment; visual domination, overshadowing, privacy loss; location vs. heritage items/notable trees
Front/side yard setback non-complianceRestricted discretionaryKeeping with existing character/street form; exterior design/materials vs. heritage area; intrusion into street scene; building location vs. landforms/heritage; views to scenic reserve; vegetation/lawn retention
Building coverage (60% threshold)Restricted discretionaryVehicle access/parking location and design; building location vs. heritage items/trees; vegetation/lawn retention (Marsden Road frontage); building area/scale compatibility with built/natural environment
Visual amenity non-complianceRestricted discretionaryVehicle access and parking location/design; building location vs. heritage items/trees; vegetation/lawn retention (Marsden Road); perimeter fence design/character; access/parking integration
Alterations to building exterior (visible from public place)Restricted discretionaryBuilding location vs. adjacent sites; exterior design/appearance; colour of exterior surfaces; materials used; heritage value of building and precinct effect; heritage/archaeological values effect; building location vs. landscape/archaeological sites
New buildings in heritage precincts (visible from public place)Restricted discretionaryBuilding location vs. adjacent sites; exterior design/appearance; colour of exterior surfaces; materials used; heritage value and precinct effect; heritage/archaeological values effect; building location vs. landscape/archaeological sites
Alterations/new buildings — Kerikeri Basin Visual BufferRestricted discretionaryBuilding form and colour (avoiding visual dominance of Mission Station buildings and Kororipo Pā); building location vs. Kerikeri Mission Station and Kororipo Pā and archaeological sites
Maintenance of buildings (not Strand/Christ Church Precincts using non-heritage colours)Restricted discretionaryColour of exterior surfaces; heritage value and precinct effect; heritage/archaeological values effect
Interior alterations to buildings (Kerikeri Basin)Restricted discretionaryHeritage value and precinct effect; heritage/archaeological values effect

Heritage Precincts — Restricted Discretionary Activities

ActivityStatusDiscretion Restricted To
Alterations to building exterior (visible from public place, all precincts)Restricted discretionaryBuilding location vs. adjacent sites and street relationship; exterior design/appearance; colour of exterior surfaces; materials used; heritage value and precinct effect; heritage/archaeological values effect; building location vs. landscape/archaeological sites
New buildings (visible from public, all precincts except Strand)Restricted discretionaryBuilding location vs. adjacent sites and street relationship; exterior design/appearance; colour of exterior surfaces; materials used; heritage value and precinct effect; heritage/archaeological values effect; building location vs. landscape/archaeological sites
Alterations to building exterior (not visible from public place, most precincts)Controlled(See Controlled Activities below)
New buildings (not visible from public place, most precincts)Controlled(See Controlled Activities below)

Heritage Precincts — Controlled Activities

ActivityStatus
Maintenance of buildings (Strand/Christ Church using heritage colours; other precincts)Controlled
Alterations to building exterior (not visible from public, most precincts except Kerikeri Basin)Controlled
New buildings (not visible from public, most precincts except Strand/Kerikeri Basin)Controlled

Heritage Precincts — Discretionary Activities

ActivityStatusAssessment Matters
Building demolition (except prohibited list)DiscretionaryAdverse effect on existing character of precinct; materials/design similarity to existing; demolition effect on streetscape/historical significance; landscaping appropriateness; archaeological site effects; effects on landforms/stone walls/archaeological sites; heritage colours used (Strand/Christ Church); pedestrian access effects (Strand); tree planting effects on heritage values (Kerikeri Basin)
Development not complying with Comprehensive Development Plan standardsDiscretionaryAdequacy of Comprehensive Development Plan; archaeological survey undertaken and siting/design minimises damage to archaeological sites; measures to manage effects on historic heritage values including surrounds; assessment matters in Section 12.5B.7

Heritage Precin

Other zones in Far North