Proposals of national significance:
Resource consent applications for proposals of national significance - flow chart

This flow chart shows the resource consent application process for proposals of national significance. A number of alternative pathways through the process are shown, as follows:

1. Matter lodged with the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA)
2. Recommendation from the EPA
3. Minister's decision whether to make a direction
4. Refer to board of inquiry to consider and decide
5. Application notified by EPA, call for submissions
6. Board hearing
7. Decision
8. High Court appeals on points of law only.

Or

1. Matter lodged with the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA)
2. Recommendation from the EPA
3. Minister's decision whether to make a direction
4. Refer to Environment Court to consider and decide
5. Application notified by EPA, call for submissions
6. Environment Court hearing
7. Decision
8. High Court appeals on points of law only.

Or

1. Matter lodged with the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA)
2. Recommendation from the EPA
3. Minister's decision whether to make a direction
4. Refer to local authority to consider and decide
5. Local authority decision on notification
6. Local authority hearing
7. Decision
8. Environment Court appeal.

Or

1. Application lodged with local authority
2. Request to Minister from applicant or local authority
3. Minister's decision whether to make a direction
4. Refer to board of inquiry to consider and decide
5. Application notified by EPA, call for submissions
6. Board hearing
7. Decision
8. High Court appeals on points of law only.

Or

1. Application lodged with local authority
2. Request to Minister from applicant or local authority
3. Minister's decision whether to make a direction
4. Refer to Environment Court to consider and decide
5. Application notified by EPA, call for submissions
6. Environment Court hearing
7. Decision
8. High Court appeals on points of law only.

Or

1. Application lodged with local authority
2. Request to Minister from applicant or local authority
3. Minister's decision whether to make a direction
4. Refer to local authority to consider and decide
5. Local authority decision on notification
6. Local authority hearing
7. Decision
8. Environment Court appeal.

Or

1. Application lodged with local authority
2. Minister initiates making a direction
3. Minister's decision whether to make a direction
4. Refer to board of inquiry to consider and decide
5. Application notified by EPA, call for submissions
6. Board hearing
7. Decision
8. High Court appeals on points of law only.

Or

1. Application lodged with local authority
2. Minister initiates making a direction
3. Minister's decision whether to make a direction
4. Refer to Environment Court to consider and decide
5. Application notified by EPA, call for submissions
6. Environment Court hearing
7. Decision
8. High Court appeals on points of law only.

Or

1. Application lodged with local authority
2. Minister initiates making a direction
3. Minister's decision whether to make a direction
4. Refer to local authority to consider and decide
5. Local authority decision on notification
6. Local authority hearing
7. Decision
8. Environment Court appeal.