We're so glad you're here - happy reading! Got questions? Don't hesitate to get in touch Auckland Council’s Proposed Plan Change 120 – Housing Intensification & Resilience (PC120) marks one of the most significant shifts in natural hazard management since the Auckland Unitary Plan (AUP) became operative. While 2023’s storms placed a spotlight on flooding, landslide risk   is equally central to the new framework, especially for properties located on sloping ground, cliff edges

We're so glad you're here - happy reading! Got questions? Don't hesitate to get in touch Soil contamination occurs when hazardous substances such as heavy metals, hydrocarbons, pesticides, or other chemicals are present in the ground at levels that could harm people, plants, or the environment. Contaminated soil can affect soil health, water quality, and air quality, as well as pose risks to human health. Because of these risks, soil contamination can have a major impact on t

We're so glad you're here! Happy reading! Got questions? Don't hesitate to get in touch! Auckland Council’s Plan Change 120 (PC120) signals a major shift in how natural hazard risks, particularly flooding, are managed across the region. From 3 November 2025, several components of the rewritten E36 Natural Hazards and Flooding chapter gained immediate legal effect under section 86B of the RMA. For landowners, developers, and anyone preparing a resource consent application, thi

We're so glad you're here! Happy reading! Got questions? Don't hesitate to get in touch! Before you start on any land development, construction, or design project, it’s crucial to understand your site’s physical characteristics to support design, planning, and decision-making. Understanding these characteristics early on will help prevent potentially costly issues and delays as you progress with your project. In addition, the Auckland, Kaipara, and Northland regions each have

We're so glad you're here - happy reading! Got questions? Don't hesitate to get in touch Are you looking to embark on a development project and need clarification on what consents you need before proceeding? Or are you currently navigating through the complexities of the land use consent process? From clearing native vegetation within a protected setback to managing earthworks and stormwater discharge, compliance with regional and district planning rules is not always straigh

We're so glad you're here! Happy reading! Got questions? Don't hesitate to get in touch! The Auckland Council has voted to endorse Draft Plan Change 120 – Housing Intensification and Resilience, which will be publicly notified next week on 3 November 2025. This important plan change replaces Plan Change 78 and aims to shape how Auckland grows, from how new housing is designed, to where future intensification should occur, and how we manage infrastructure and natural hazards a

Most regional councils across New Zealand require landowners to meet ongoing consent conditions regarding managing and protecting native bush, wetlands and dunelands. A big part of meeting these conditions can include the requirement for submitting regular Monitoring Reports, written and presented by a qualified ecologist.   Failing to submit these reports and meet compliance can result in financial penalties. With councils looking to review and tighten their monitoring proce

When our Ecologist Leane Makey is not providing expert ecology consulting services for Buckton Surveyors and Planners, she gets to put on her other hat as a Research Fellow in the School of Environment at University of Auckland, specialising in critical social environmental research. She holds a BSc (Hons) in Marine Ecology and a PhD in Environmental Sciences, making her an incredibly skilled and knowledgeable asset to our team. Dr Leane Makey was recently the recipient of th

On the 16 th of July, the Government announced that it intends to stop councils from progressing “unnecessary plan and regional policy statement reviews” under the current Resource Management Act (RMA). The intention is to free up council time and resources so that they can focus on transitioning to a more streamlined resource management system, which will come into effect in 2027.

What you should know about the proposed Land Use Class 3 changes and how can Buckton Surveyors and Planners help you.

Most of New Zealand's remaining indigenous biodiversity resides on private land and not public conservation land. Most farmers and landowners debate whether to use it or conserve it, and a decision is usually based on their own personal, social and cultural goals. Biodiversity protection can leverage landowners into the development of land for creating additional titles. However, size and quality matter.

At Buckton, we specialise in guiding landowners and developers through the subdivision process. Learn the key steps of this process here.

Understanding NZ’s Drone Regulations: Rules, Responsibilities, and Safety Guidelines.

Recent projects we've been involved in, industry trends, subdivision approval and welcoming a new team member.

We're so glad you're here! Got questions? Don't hesitate to get in touch! Happy reading! Welcome to the latest edition of Buckton’s...

July 2024 - Incredible local drone views, and a bit of information on council infrastructure.

We're so glad you're here! Got questions? Don't hesitate to get in touch! Happy reading! Join Our Team Calling all Experienced Survey...

Land slips and slip surveys around Rodney area, local Apps from Matakana Coast and Warkwoth and Warkworth School community support

Welcome Richard Cullen to the Buckton team, our efforts upskilling our surveyors health and safety and community support.