FAQs

A spatial plan is a long-term, big-picture plan that helps us decide how and where certain towns and communities grow over the next 30 to 50 years. In short, it’s a plan for your space. 

A spatial plan shows:

• Where new homes, businesses, recreation, & infrastructure could go
• How people will get around
• What needs protection
• How we make sure growth reflects the identity, needs and aspirations of our people and places.  

Over the next 50 years across the Western Bay sub-region (Western Bay of Plenty District and Tauranga City):

• Up to 200,000 people may call this area home 
• Approximately 43,000 new homes will be needed.

This growth brings challenges: pressure on housing, roads, infrastructure, the environment, and affordability.

But spatial planning helps us prepare, by making sure our communities grow in ways that are well thought out, sustainable, and reflect what matters to us most.

For a more in-depth look at what we know about your community, view our baseline report.

Honouring Te Tiriti o Waitangi means working in genuine partnership with iwi and hapū as we create this spatial plan, ensuring their aspirations are built in from the start.  

Tangata whenua have responsibilities as kaitiaki (caretakers) of their rohe (tribal areas) and the environment and people within it.
 Working in partnership strengthens decision-making and supports outcomes that reflect the whole community.

Spatial planning doesn’t start from scratch. It builds on a lot of work already completed, including:

• Smartgrowth Strategy – a long-term vision for the Western Bay of Plenty sub-region
• The Future Development Strategy – identifying where homes and businesses could go over the next 30 years
• The Urban Form & Transport Initiative – connecting housing and transport to ensure new development comes with the right infrastructure. 

These sub-regional strategies set the wider scene. Our spatial plans will add the local voice, detail and direction for each space.

On 24 March 2025, the Government also announced the Blueprint for Resource Management Reform, aiming to replace the Resource Management Act 1991. In the Blueprint, spatial planning is given a vital role in the new planning system to provide long-term, strategic direction to simplify and streamline the system. This will allow development within constraints, and better align land use, infrastructure planning, and investment.

A spatial plan can influence zoning decisions in the long run. However, it doesn't automatically change your property’s zoning. Actual rezoning involves a more specific plan change process.