A solution to pollution: integrated pollution control under the Resource Management Act (1991)

Abstract

It is accepted that integrated pollution control is essential for the amelioration of pollution problems. The pollution situation in New Zealand has not been well addressed by past legislation as it has been controlled by a fragmented system of statutes and institutions. The Resource Management Act 1991 could be seen as an attempt to redress this situation, through the integration of pollution control across media (air, land, and water). This report reviews the concept of integrated pollution control, clarifying both why and how pollution should be addressed in an integrated manner. The Resource Management Act is then tested to establish the extent to which the elements of integrated pollution control have been incorporated. The assessment is grounded in a local case study on piggery effluent, from which conclusions are made with regard to the practical implications for environmental protection. The Resource Management Act is a bold step toward integrated pollution control, but is not necessarily a guarantee of greater protection for the environment.