Planning for the future of Rotorua - the Draft Spatial Plan

Consultation has concluded

A young boy pointing to the sky, symbolising the children of today who will be the adults of the future. They are the ones who will be affected by the Spatial Plan we are working on in the present.

The Spatial Plan was adopted at the council meeting on 30 August 2018.

Our spatial plan helps us to plan how the city and district will grow, develop and change over a time horizon of 30+ years to deliver on Rotorua’s 2030 vision and goals.

Focusing on our vision for the future and recognising what is important to us as a community will help us shape a more inclusive, equitable and sustainable community and economy.

The aim of the spatial plan is to:

  1. Provide one picture of where the district is heading and highlight significant and key areas for growth and change.
  2. Provide a guide for investment decisions at a local, regional and central government level.
  3. Identify the key issues facing the district and the priorities that need to be advanced to address these.

The Spatial Plan was adopted at the council meeting on 30 August 2018.

Our spatial plan helps us to plan how the city and district will grow, develop and change over a time horizon of 30+ years to deliver on Rotorua’s 2030 vision and goals.

Focusing on our vision for the future and recognising what is important to us as a community will help us shape a more inclusive, equitable and sustainable community and economy.

The aim of the spatial plan is to:

  1. Provide one picture of where the district is heading and highlight significant and key areas for growth and change.
  2. Provide a guide for investment decisions at a local, regional and central government level.
  3. Identify the key issues facing the district and the priorities that need to be advanced to address these.
Consultation has concluded

  • How did we arrive at a Draft Spatial Plan?

    The spatial plan discussion document Planning for the Future (April 2017) started the conversation about how we want our district and city to grow in the future and how we respond to national and global trends and influences.

    During six weeks of pre-draft plan consultation, 56 workshops were held with the community, stakeholders, young people, iwi, hapū and land trusts, engaging with approximately 1000 people on a discussion document. Further written and posted feedback was received from 449 people.


  • Core objectives of the Spatial Plan

    Seven core objectives for our spatial plan have emerged from consultation with the community and technical studies. The objectives inform how and where the district grows and changes. Making decisions guided by these core objectives will ensure we stay true to what we consider important to Rotorua.

    For a little more explanation of each objective and how we are hoping to achieve them, take a look at our short video series.

    Seven core objectives


  • How the plan is delivered

    The spatial plan will provide the blueprint for how we want Rotorua to look in future, where development should occur, what type and how much.

    To achieve this it will shape and guide other key plans and co-investment opportunities. Vision 2030 and this spatial plan will not be delivered by council alone. Council will need to partner with iwi, government and non-government organisations, business and community groups to achieve the spatial plan objectives. It will also need to consider redirecting investment into priority areas. The spatial plan is intended to provide direction, give confidence to, and help all of our partners to play their part in the development of our district.