ABSTRACT
This chapter argues that efforts by councils to improve consultation can have a strong positive impact on plan quality, because the stakeholders can facilitate the identification of issues and formulation of policies in the plans. The relationship between district councils and central government agencies is important in carrying out the Resource Management Act's intentions. Council planning initiatives can be greatly enhanced by receiving assistance from central government agencies. Four central government organizations were considered useful by a moderately low percentage of councils, including the Department of Survey and Land Information, Transit New Zealand, Department of Conservation, and Ministry for the Environment. District plans were moderately successful in explaining the national mandate for Maori interests and providing internally consistent management strategies for councils. As indicated by the low scores for issue identification and the fact base, plans were generally weak in translating the general intentions of the mandate into concrete actions.
