Proposed Plan Change 3 – Urban Growth

Further Submissions:

Council publicly notified Proposed Plan Change 3 on 12 March 2026 and submissions closed on 13 April 2026.

Council received 36 submissions (including one late submission), and these are available to view in the submissions tab at the bottom of this page.

Council has also prepared a summary of decisions requested by submitters which can be viewed here:

Summary of Submissions

One of the submissions received on the proposed plan change (submission 37) was omitted in error from the Summary of Submissions document. This submission has been summarised and is available as an addendum here:

Add Addendum to Summary of Submissions

Council is now calling for further submissions. To make a further submission you must meet the following requirements:

• Eligibility: You must either have an interest in the proposal greater than the general public or represent a relevant aspect of the public interest.
• Scope: Your further submission must clearly support or oppose an original submission (or submissions).
• Deadline: Further submissions for submissions 1 to 36 closed at 5pm on 12 June 2026. Further submissions for submission 37 must be received by 5pm on 25 June 2026.
• Submission form: You must use Form 6
• Serve a copy of the submission: You must also send a copy of your further submission to the original submitter within five working days of lodging it with the council.

Make a Further Submission on Submission 37(Form 6)

What is being proposed?

1. Opportunity for more intense housing options close to town centres

Through the proposed introduction of 'Residential Intensification Areas' in parts of Marton, Bulls and Taihape.

• These areas are within existing residential areas and are an easy walking distance of town centres and local amenities.
• This would allow more intensive housing within these areas (for example, smaller sections, townhouses, or multi-unit developments).
• Rangitīkei has an abundance of 3 and 4 bedroom family homes on larger sections but limited 1 and 2 bedroom or smaller section options. These areas aim to provide more choice for residents – including homes for ageing residents, smaller households, and first-home buyers.

2. Rezoning land on the edge of Marton and Bulls

Some land currently zoned as General Rural Zone or Rural Lifestyle Zone is proposed to be rezoned to General Residential Zone.

• Through the preparation of Pae Tawhiti Rangitīkei Beyond, Council identified that Bulls and Marton have a shortfall of suitable and zoned land to meet projected residential growth in the medium and long term. Potential growth areas were identified and subsequently assessed for suitability for residential development. Some of these growth areas are being proposed to be rezoned.
• Rezoning would enable these properties to be redeveloped for residential purposes over time - inline the rules and standards of the Rangitīkei District Plan.
• This helps ensure there is enough land available to meet projected population growth to 2050+.

3. A Structure Plan for the Marton Northwest Development Area

A Structure Plan Area is proposed for a large growth area on the north-west edge of Marton (identified as the Marton Northwest Development Area).

• The structure plan would guide how this area develops over time.
• It helps ensure development happens in a more coordinated and connected way.

4. Proposed amendments to the General Residential Zone, Rural Lifestyle Zone and Subdivision provisions of the District Plan

The plan change also proposes changes to some rules in the:

• General Residential Zone
• Rural Lifestyle Zone
• Subdivision chapter

These updates aim to:

• Remove unnecessary barriers to future residential and rural lifestyle development
• Enable more efficient land use
• Provide clearer standards
• Support appropriate urban intensification

These proposed changes have been informed by Council undertaking monitoring of the current District Plan provisions (which identified some rules/standards are no longer fit for purpose), and to enable the implementation of the proposed Structure Plan and Residential Intensification Area.

Why is this proposed Urban Growth Plan Change important?

Rangitīkei is growing and we need to prepare for what our district looks like in the future. Without changes to the Rangitīkei District Plan.

• There may not be enough residential land to meet future demand
• Housing affordability and availability may be impacted
• Any growth and development could occur in a way that is uncoordinated and not well integrated with our existing urban environments.

Supporting Information

• Urban Growth: Section 32 Evaluation Report
• 1.1 Proposed amendments to SUB – Subdivision
• 1.2 Proposed amendments to GRZ – General Residential Zone
• 1.3 Proposed amendments to RLZ – Rural Lifestyle Zone
• 2 Planning Maps - Marton North-West Structure Plan Area
• 3 Planning Maps - Residential Intensification Area Overlay
• 4 Planning Maps – Rezoning
• 5 Community Spatial Plan | Pae Tawhiti Rangitīkei Beyond
• 6 Efficiency and Effectiveness Monitoring Report for the Residential and Rural Living Zones
• 7 An Archaeological Scoping Assessment of Potential Growth Areas for Marton, in the Rangitīkei District
• 8 An Archaeological Scoping Assessment of Potential Growth Areas for Bulls, in the Rangitīkei District
• 9 Integrated Transport Assessment
• 10 Potential Urban Growth Areas Ecological Constraint Study
• 11 Geotechnical Assessment Report for Residential Land-Use Changes Bulls, Marton & Mangaweka High Level Planning
• 12 RDC 3 Waters Growth Strategy Growth Assessment
  • 12 RDC 3 Waters Growth Strategy Growth Assessment (Appendix A)
  • 12 RDC 3 Waters Growth Strategy Growth Assessment (Appendix B)
  • 12 RDC 3 Waters Growth Strategy Growth Assessment (Appendix C)
  • 12 RDC 3 Waters Growth Strategy Growth Assessment (Appendix D - 1-17)
  • 12 RDC 3 Waters Growth Strategy Growth Assessment (Appendix D - 18-36)
  • 12 RDC 3 Waters Growth Strategy Growth Assessment (Appendix E)
• 13 Marton, Bulls and Taihape Wastewater Treatment
• 14 BUL03 Growth Area Flood Risk Assessment

Need more information

If you have any questions about the proposal, please contact Rangitīkei District Council’s Strategy Manager, Tiffany Gower on: 0800 422 522 or via email: districtplan@rangitikei.govt.nz