Glossary

Glossary
Acronyms
By Subject

Rakaia-Selwyn Groundwater consent reviews
the consent review proposes: - individual annual allocation limits, - the installation of flowmeters and dataloggers and in the case of larger takes, telemetry, - restrictions on all takes with direct hydraulic connection to surface water. An assessment is made as to whether a consent needs to be reviewed and a notice of review sent out accordingly. Proposed conditions follow and the consent-holder has time to respond with conditions of their own if they wish. In this case, a hearing with independent commissioners will be held and a decision made. Finally, there is an opportunity to appeal to the Environment Court.
Rangatiratanga
the full chieftainship and authority including the right to permit or deny others. It is an inherent sovereignty and is exercised by tangata whenua as kaitiaki of the resources and environment within this rohe (territory).
Raster clump
groups of contiguous image pixels in the same class or category (ERDAS Field Guide 2005).
Reasons
the principal reasons for adopting the objectives, policies, and methods of implementation set out in the Regional Policy Statement.
Receipted Application
application has been checked to ensure all required information has been provided. At this point, the Processing Team may still return the application to the applicant if the Assessment of Environmental Effects (AEE) is deficient.
Receptor
an organism, plant or physical structure that receives, may receive or has received environmental exposure to a chemical.
Recharge
drainage infiltrating into the groundwater system, derived from rainfall and irrigation.
Red Zone
is where Environment Canterbury's assessment shows that the total amount of groundwater currently allocated exceeds the allocation limit. Read more about groundwater definitions.
Regime
in relation to water bodies or coastal water, regime means provisions in a regional plan relating to maximum or minimum levels or flows or rates of use of water, or minimum standards of water quality, or range of temperature or pressure of geothermal water.
Regional Land Transport Programme
provides regional coordination and a mechanism for applying regional priorities to proposed activities. Delivery of the programme is reliant on councils and the New Zealand Transport Agency securing the funds and delivering the activities. The programme contains activities proposed by councils within the region, and activities proposed by the New Zealand Transport Agency (that operates state highways) and the Department of Conservation (that provides public roads on conservation land). Read the Regional Land Transport Programme 2009-2019.
Regional Land Transport Strategy
sets the direction for the development of the land transport system for the next 10 years. The Regional Land Transport Strategy identifies the region's transport needs, and the roles of all land transport modes and identifies how planning, engineering, education, encouragement and enforcement methods are to be utilised to provide for the future land transport system of Canterbury. Read more about the Canterbury Regional Land Transport Strategy 2008-2018.
Regional Plans
Reginal Plans are prepared by councils to help manage the environment within their area, and concentrate on particular parts of the environment.
Regional Policy Statement
provides an overview of the resource management issues of Canterbury. It sets out how natural and physical resources are to be managed in an integrated way with the aim of sustainable management. This means providing for the needs of current and future generations, aiming to improve the quality of the environment. Read more about the Regional Policy Statement.
Regional Transport Committee
established under the auspices of the Land Transport Act 2003 (as amended) and is required, every 6 years, to develop a Regional Land Transport Strategy. It must also develop a 3-yearly Regional Land Transport Programme and lodge this with Environment Canterbury, as the regional council, for approval. The committee comprises an elected member from the following councils (Kaikoura, Christchurch, Hurunui, Waimakariri, Selwyn, Timaru, Waimate, Mackenzie, Ashburton), 2 Environment Canterbury elected members, a representative from the New Zealand Transport Agency, and 6 community representatives with expertise in access and mobility, safety and personal security, public health, economic development, environmental sustainability and cultural interests. More about the Regional Transport Committee.
Regulation Hearing Committee (RHC)
a committee of councillors with the delegated power to decide a notified consent application.
Remedial action plan (RAP)
a RAP assessing remedial options should be prepared once the site has been identified as requiring remediation or management. RAPs generally set remediation or management goals that ensure the site, and any relevant additional land contaminated by site activities, will be suitable for its current or proposed land use and will pose no unacceptable risk to human health or the environment, either onsite or offsite. RAPs also: - document in detail all risk-reducing procedures and plans to be implemented to achieve an acceptable level of risk for the current or proposed site land use. - Establish a recording mechanism to ensure activities proceed as detail in the RAP - Establish the environmental safeguards required to complete th remediation in an environmentally acceptable manner. Identify and include proof of the necessary approvals, permits or licenses required by regulatory authorities to undertake remediation.
Residual management
the final treatment or disposal of a waste that cannot be used in any other way. Within Canterbury, residual management of solid waste is normally disposal within a landfill. Residual disposal of liquid waste is normally into a sewer or septic tank. It is important to manage residual solid and liquid waste properly. Waste not disposed of correctly can cause adverse health and environmental effects.
Resource consent
a consent for an activity that would otherwise contravene the Resource Management Act. You are required to apply for a resource consent if you wish to do something that is not permitted by your district or regional plan. It may be a consent for land use, or a permit for water, coastal or discharge purposes. Read more about Resource Consents.
Resource Management Act
the main piece of legislation that sets out how we should manage our environment. It is based on the idea of the sustainable management of our resources, and encourages us to plan for the future of our environment. Read more about the Resource Management Act | Read the Resource Management Act.
Resource Management Awards
see Canterbury Resource Management Awards.
Resource management charges
Environment Canterbury charges for services associated with managing the natural environment. These services include processing and monitoring resource consents, and preparing and changing the Regional Policy Statement and regional plans.
Resource recovery park
a site used to collect, separate and transfer organic and recyclable materials, and residual waste.
Responses
(in relation to flood management) risk reduction measures, for example stopbanks and land use planning.
Restorative Programme for Lowland Streams
an Environment Canterbury and community collaboration aimed at improving the environmental health of lowland streams and water-bodies.
Return period
the average length of time between hazard events of a certain size. A 100 year flood will occur on average once in every 100 years, and has a 1% chance of occurring in any one year.
Right to be heard
where a submitter can choose whether or not they wish to speak at a hearing.
Riparian zone
includes the margin and the bank of a river or lake. This is the area where direct interaction occurs between land and water systems and is important for the management of water quality and ecological resources. Swamps and islands in a waterway are not strictly part of the riparian zone, but for practical management purposes are generally included in it.
River Report Line
phone line providing the latest in rainfall and river level information. The information is updated twice daily and more frequently during floods. Information on irrigation restrictions is available during the irrigation season. The phone number is 0900 RIVER (or 0900 74 837). The charge is 50 cents per minute (plus GST). Read more about the River Report Line.
RMA
see Resource Management Act.
Road Controlling Authority
city councils, district councils and the New Zealand Transport Agency.
Rohe
boundary or district. (Tau, Goodall, Palmer, and Tau (1990) Te Whakatau Kaupapa).
Rūnanga
the governing council or administrative group of a Māori hapū or iwi.
Riparian Margin
The land immediately next to a stream. Learn how you can look after your riparian margins »
Rāhui
A form of tapu restricting access to, or use of, an area or resource by unauthorised persons. With the passing of the Fisheries Act 1996, a rāhui can also be imposed by the New Zealand Ministry of Fisheries.
Raranga
weaving.
Rare
refers to species that are uncommon or scarce. Some organisms may be naturally rare but not endangered or threatened with extinction.
Raupō
bulrushes.
Repo raupō
wetland.
Repo wai
coastal wetland.
Reticulated water
water made available through a network (reticulation) of pipes, usually underground, as in most urban areas.