| Title | A REVIEW OF GEOTHERMAL RESOURCE MANAGEMENT UNDER THE RMA 1991 WITH A VIEW TO THE FUTURE |
|---|---|
| Authors | P. Doorman, J.L. Lebe, K. Luketina, J. McLeod, and P. Parson |
| Year | 2021 |
| Conference | New Zealand Geothermal Workshop |
| Keywords | sustainable management, integrated management, Māori partnerships, spatial planning, environmental limits |
| Abstract | As one of the world’s major geothermal nations, New Zealand is a leader in geothermal resource management through the framework of the Resource Management Act 1991 (RMA) and the Central Government’s devolution of geothermal resource management to Regional Councils. In the 30 years since the RMA was enacted, the geothermal policy developed by the Bay of Plenty and Waikato Regional Councils has managed the competing interests of large-scale energy development and the protection of rare and vulnerable geothermal features and landscapes for 90% of the national geothermal resource. Pending Government reform of the resource management system, we review issues that have arisen in the last 30 years and to what extent the two Councils’ broadly similar policies have been successful in managing the resource. We highlight RMA strengths, such as the goal of sustainable management and community participation. We identify challenges, gaps and future opportunities to develop and integrate resource management policy. Emerging issues include advancing technology to better understand geothermal resources, new techniques to access the deeper resource, and the further extraction of minerals from geothermal fluid. Partnerships and shared decision making with Māori will also increase in the management of geothermal taonga for the benefit of their communities. As we transition to a zero-carbon future, extractive uses of geothermal resources will increase, while the need to protect and preserve our remaining geothermal features and ecosystems, and the need to honour the Crown/Māori relationship, will remain. |