The potential for development in the Lower Waitaki River Basin is examined and the consequences of applying present planning methods to that region indicated. A technique that overcomes the faults inherent in present planning methods is found. This technique - the Surrogate Worth Trade-off Method - involves multi-objective analysis, and selects the optimal development by matching the actual interaction possible between objectives for the system involved to the preferred interaction between objectives as indicated by the decision maker. The theory and procedure involved in applying this technique is explained. The requirements of applying this method to the Lower Waitaki are examined, and the future work necessary to complete such a planning exercise noted.