Tauranga Environmental Protection Society Inc v Tauranga City Council - [2021] 3 NZLR 882

Resource consents — Land use consents — Relocation of electricity transmission lines — Longstanding grievance regarding location of lines near Māori land — Significant adverse cultural effects — Environment Court bundling consideration of effects of proposal together — Findings on significant and adverse effects — Whether Court erroneously adopted “overall judgment” approach — Whether erred in failing to analyse and apply hierarchy of planning instruments to proposal — Interpretation and application of planning instruments — Environmental and cultural bottom lines — National policy statements — Regional and district planning instruments — Outstanding natural features and landscapes — Treatment of alternatives — Consideration of status quo — Interpretation and application of “practicable”, “practical” and “possible” thresholds — Relief — Te Tiriti o Waitangi/Treaty of Waitangi art 2.