A hearing is a formal meeting where submitters and applicants are able to present their views to the decision-making committee regarding an application. It takes place if one or more of the submitters (or the applicant) asks to be heard, or if the decision-making committee thinks it is necessary.
A hearing takes place within 30 working days of submissions closing, unless the time limit has been formally extended by us or the applicant.
Before the hearing
We will give you, all other submitters and the applicant, at least 10 working days notice of the hearing date, time and place. We will also forward you a link to or copy of the Evaluation and Review report. The Evaluation and Review report is prepared by us for the decision-making committee. It brings together a summary of submissions and any other new information received since the original application, and may contain recommendations. Nevertheless, the decision-making committee will ultimately base its decision on all the information put before it, including information presented at the hearing.
Pre-hearing meetings and huis
We may arrange a pre-hearing meeting so that submitters and the applicant can talk about and clarify issues in the application. These meetings are held soon after submissions close. The issues raised in submissions can sometimes be resolved at a pre-hearing meeting, avoiding the need for a formal hearing.
At the hearing
All hearings are open to the public, including the media (unless it is necessary to protect sensitive information). However, the only people who can speak are the applicant, submitters who stated in their submission that they wished to be heard, our staff, our Maori advisory committee, and the decision-making committee members. The purpose of the hearing is for the decision-making committees to gain further information from the applicant and submitters. It is not for applicant and submitters to question each other, although the Chair may permit questions of clarification at her or his discretion on the day.
After the hearing
A link to or copy of the written decision will be forwarded to all submitters and be available on our website within 30 working days after the hearing is closed (unless the timeframe has been extended).
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