Following the Private Plan Change 5 (PPC5) Hearing held on 3 and 4 November 2025, the Independent Commissioners have made a Recommendation to Council that the Whakamaru Plan Change PPC5 be approved.

The South Waikato District Council will consider the Recommendation at its meeting on 29 January 2026 in Tokoroa.

While the topic will be discussed as part of the public meeting, the applicant and parties to PPC5 do not have the ability to challenge the PPC5 process or the Independent Commissioners’ Recommendation through the Council meeting held on 29 January.

It is also important to note that the Council will have extremely limited legal discretion to depart from the Commissioners’ recommendation.

Any challenges to the decision by submitters will need to be made under the Resource Management Act, through an appeal to the Environment Court once a decision on the matter has been made.

Notes:

• A plan change was requested by the landowner to alter the zoning of 31.68 ha of land at 1861 Ongaroto Road, Whakamaru from General Rural Zone to Rural Lifestyle Zone.

• A Private Plan Change 5 (PPC5) Hearing was held on 3 and 4 November 2025.

• The Independent Commissioners have made a Recommendation to Council that the Whakamaru Plan Change PPC5 be approved. It will be considered at the 29 January 2026 Council meeting.

• All material relating to the District Plan Change PPC5 can be found here: https://www.southwaikato.govt.nz/our-council/consultation/district-plan-change-public-notification-j-t-quigley-limited

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