Ruakaka Equine Zone — Whangārei
Zone Overview
Primary Purpose: Provide for ongoing equine-related activities (training, racing) while enabling compatible residential, commercial, and community development.
Maximum Residential Intensity: 250 REZ units total across entire zone (1 REZ unit = 1 residential unit or 3 commercial accommodation units)
Site Context: Located within coastal environment with sensitive interfaces to Crown land (DoC), Ruakaka Wildlife Refuge, dune lake reserve, and surrounding residential areas.
Precinct A — Infield & Racetrack
Building Standards
| Rule | Value | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Maximum height | 6m | Excludes minor buildings |
| Maximum individual building gross floor area | 1,000m² | Excludes minor buildings |
| Site coverage | 15% | Of gross precinct area; excludes minor buildings |
| Floodlighting | Prohibited | Light spill beyond zone not permitted |
Permitted Activities
| Activity | Status |
|---|---|
| Equine-related activities (general) | Permitted |
| Non-equine events — gatherings up to 50 people | Permitted |
| Non-equine events — small-scale | Permitted |
| Non-equine events — medium-scale | Permitted (max 12 per calendar year) |
| Accommodation for horse-trainers/students/caretakers | Permitted (see limits below) |
Accommodation Requirements (Precinct A and across entire Zone):
- One shared accommodation facility near stables: max 100m² GFA
- One relocatable residential unit (foreman/trainer): max 200m² GFA
- One additional relocatable unit per 15 permanently housed horses (max 45 horses total)
Event Conditions:
- No floodlighting with light spill beyond zone
- No amplified music exceeding Residential Zone noise levels at REZ boundary
- No permanent buildings/major structures for small-scale or medium-scale events
- Small-scale and medium-scale events must comply with certified generic Event Plan
Discretionary Activities
| Activity | Status |
|---|---|
| Sportsfields and non-equine recreational facilities (clubrooms, storage) | Discretionary |
| Recreational facilities without artificial lighting (golf courses, ranges) | Discretionary |
| Other commercial activity (primary or ancillary) — max 6m height, max 1,000m² GFA, max 15% coverage | Discretionary |
| Activities requiring floodlighting with light spill beyond zone | Discretionary |
| Activities using amplified music exceeding Residential Zone levels | Discretionary |
| 13th and subsequent medium-scale non-equine events per calendar year | Discretionary |
| Large-scale non-equine events | Discretionary |
Notification
All non-permitted, non-discretionary activities are non-complying. Non-complying and discretionary activities subject to RMA 1991 notification tests.
Precinct B — Southern
Building Standards
| Rule | Value | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Maximum height (permitted equine activities) | 8m (2 storeys) | Excludes minor buildings |
| Site coverage (permitted equine activities) | 15% | Of gross precinct area |
| Height in relation to boundary | 3m + 35° daylight angle | Measured from southern boundary of Precinct B |
| Floodlighting | Prohibited | Light spill beyond zone not permitted |
| Development over 2 storeys — discretionary cap | 10% of gross precinct area | Max 14m / 4 storeys in height |
| Total site coverage — discretionary cap | 40% | Of gross precinct area |
| Impervious surfaces — discretionary cap | 60% | Roofs, streets, footpaths >1m, patios >20m², accessways |
| Setback from southern boundary | 13m minimum | With 5m min indigenous vegetation + horse beach access path |
Permitted Activities
Prior to construction of non-equine buildings/major structures:
| Activity | Status |
|---|---|
| Equine-related activities (general) | Permitted |
| Accommodation for horse-trainers/students/caretakers | Permitted (see Precinct A limits) |
Discretionary Activities
| Activity | Status |
|---|---|
| Comprehensive and integrated non-equine development | Discretionary |
| Any equine-related activity not permitted | Discretionary |
Non-residential Activities (Discretionary):
- Limited to small-scale office-based activities (commercial service, educational, community, cultural)
- Maximum 200m² GFA per activity
Conditions for Discretionary Residential Development:
- Setback minimum 13m from southern boundary
- Indigenous vegetation buffer: minimum 5m width
- Horse access path to beach included in setback, with indigenous planting both sides
- Daylight angle: 3m high + 35° into site from southern boundary
- Noise: maintain Residential Zone requirements at REZ boundary
- Dune slack wetland (Figure REZ 1): must be fenced before non-equine development
Stormwater Management
- On-site management of runoff from hard surfaces, streets, open parking
- Protection of dune lake ecological values
Vegetation
- Only locally sourced, indigenous plant species from Waipu Ecological District
- Planting plan to manage vegetation height
Notification
All non-permitted, non-discretionary activities are non-complying. Non-complying and discretionary activities subject to RMA 1991 notification tests (except as provided in REZ-R1).
Precinct C — Western
Building Standards
| Rule | Value | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Maximum height (permitted equine activities) | 8m (2 storeys) | Excludes minor buildings |
| Site coverage (permitted equine activities) | 15% | Of gross precinct area |
| Height in relation to boundary | 3m + 45° daylight angle | Measured from western boundary of zone |
| Setback from dune lake reserve boundary | 5m minimum | Excludes minor buildings |
| Setback from dune lake for residential buildings — discretionary | 5m minimum buffer | Indigenous planting, earth bund, or fencing |
| Site coverage — discretionary cap | 35% | Of gross precinct area (residential units only) |
| Impervious surfaces — discretionary cap | 60% | Roofs, streets, footpaths >1m, patios >20m², accessways |
| Living areas visibility | Not visible | From any point on dune lake surface (nominal RL3.25) |
| Floodlighting | Prohibited | Light spill beyond zone not permitted |
| Noise | Residential Zone requirements | At REZ boundary |
Permitted Activities
Prior to construction of non-equine buildings/major structures:
| Activity | Status |
|---|---|
| Equine-related activities (general) | Permitted |
| Accommodation for horse-trainers/students/caretakers | Permitted (see Precinct A limits) |
Discretionary Activities
| Activity | Status |
|---|---|
| Residential units (stand-alone and terrace-type) | Discretionary |
| Any equine-related activity not permitted | Discretionary |
Conditions for Discretionary Residential Development:
- Max 2 storeys (8m) in height
- Max 35% site coverage
- Max 60% impervious surfaces
- 5m minimum buffer from dune lake boundary
- No living areas (including decks) visible from dune lake surface (RL3.25)
- Noise maintained at Residential Zone requirements
Stormwater Management
- Specific on-site techniques required
- Treated stormwater from streets, accessways, roofs, hard surfaces must not adversely affect dune lake ecological values
- May be used to help recharge dune lake if appropriate
- Compliance with Three Waters Management Chapter
Vegetation
- Only locally sourced, indigenous plant species from Waipu Ecological District
- Planting plan to manage vegetation height
- 5m minimum width indigenous vegetation buffer along dune lake boundary
Notification
All non-permitted, non-discretionary activities are non-complying. Non-complying and discretionary activities subject to RMA 1991 notification tests (except as provided in REZ-R1).