Horizons focuses its direct control on species that are most harmful but not yet widespread, often relying on timely reporting from occupiers and agencies through rules like 'the duty to inform'.
Other rules help to ensure pests which are more common or more likely to spread are managed through boundary-focused measures, such as the 'good neighbour' and 'clear land' rules.
The plan also allows for approved management plans for occupiers and agencies, and includes specific rules like the rookery management rule, wallaby rule, and provisions for wilding conifers in the Karioi Forest Zone.
The good neighbour rule is the only rule that can be applied to Crown land.
What size land should be protected by the rules?
Under the current RPMP, the 'clear land' and 'good neighbour' rules apply to progressive containment species that are not mapped. These rules require landowners of properties over 4 hectares in size to manage pests so they do not spread to neighbouring land, but only if the adjacent property is taking reasonable measures to control pests.
The 4-hectare threshold was originally intended to focused on areas where pest spread could have clear economic impacts, and where the required effort was considered proportionate. In practice, the rule drafting has created an unintended gap: smaller properties are not required to manage pest spread under these rules, even when spread from smaller properties can affect neighbouring land or nearby productive areas. In urban and lifestyle areas, the impacts can be different. Urban areas generally do not suffer significant economic harm from pest plants, although there is a risk that pests could spread to productive land nearby.
We are seeking your feedback on what size of land should be protected under the 'clear land' and 'good neighbour rules.
