He aha ngā mahi i te whakawātanga What happens at hearings

If you want to speak at a hearing, you must first make a  submission  Making a submission is a way people can express their views, opinions and suggestions on proposed changes, and influence the decisions being made. Anyone can make a submission, from individuals to community groups and organisations. on a proposal.

If the proposal goes to a hearing, we will send everyone who submits feedback a notification letter. This letter will include the hearing:

• time
• date
• venue.

You must respond to either the notification letter or email we send you, if you want to speak at a hearing.

The hearing will be held at a council venue and the public can attend.

If you change your mind about attending a hearing, contact us so we can update the schedule.

Where hearings take place depends on each hearing application.

Hearings are held Monday to Friday, generally during normal working hours. Visit Find a hearing for a schedule of upcoming hearings.

If you have made a submission on a proposal, we will contact you with a time, date and location for your hearing.

You must provide a daytime phone number and email address on your submission so we can contact you.

When you arrive at the meeting, the hearings advisor will sign you in. You will then take a seat in the public seating area.

At the start of the hearing, the chairperson will:

• introduce the panel and council staff
• explain how the hearing will proceed.

If you requested to speak at the hearing, you will be called to speak in the order that appears on the hearing schedule.

Members of the hearing panel might ask you questions about your submission while you speak at the hearing.

When it is time for you to speak, you will be asked to present your submission.

Our staff will be there to take notes or provide answers to specific questions.

Who attends the hearing depends on the type of hearing.

Notified applications, such as a resource consent or plan changes, are usually heard by  independent commissioners An independent commissioner is a person who oversees a hearing and has no connections to the involved parties. They ensure decisions are fair and neutral. .

For a council consultation, it is likely your  submission Making a submission is a way people can express their views, opinions and suggestions on proposed changes, and influence the decisions being made. Anyone can make a submission, from individuals to community groups and organisations.  will be heard by elected representatives. This can include:

• local board members
• councillors
• members of Houkura, formerly known as the Independent Māori Statutory Board.

You can find out who is on the hearing panel on the front page of the hearing agenda.

Visit Find a hearing for information about any hearings you are interested in.

Independent commissioners

We appoint decision-makers from a group of independent commissioners who are all government-listed certificate holders.

Email hearingsfeedback@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz if you need more information about individual members.

What independent commissioners do

Commissioners conduct hearings on various matters, including:

• resource consent applications
• plan changes
• notices of requirement
• bylaws and  dispensations When someone cannot comply with a council bylaw, they can apply for a 'dispensation' so they do not have to comply with the bylaw.
• reserve management plans
• policies where the special consultative procedure is used
• other hearings as determined by the Regulatory and Community Safety Committee.

Commissioners may also be appointed as 'duty' commissioners. We use duty commissioners when a council officer cannot approve an application. They consider and make decisions on:

• resource consent applications (including notification determinations)
• notices of requirement and outline plan of works
• other matters that do not require a hearing.

A duty commissioner might also need to make a decision under the following sections of the Resource Management Act:

• section 125
• section 127
• section 37.

When you speak at a hearing:

• give a brief summary of your submission
• you do not need to read out your submission as the panel read it before the hearing
• do not use the hearing as an opportunity to talk about different issues.

When we confirm the hearing arrangements with you, we will tell you:

• the time you can speak on the day
• how long you can speak for.

After the hearing, the panel will:

• consider all verbal and written feedback in private
• close the hearing.

You cannot present further information to the panel after the hearing has closed.

We will then:

• advise the applicant and all submitters of the decision or recommendation of the hearing panel
• publish the final plan, policy or decision on this website.

Visit Find a hearing for:

• documents related to past hearings including final proposals and decisions
• schedules of future hearings.