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100+ Free S+SNZ Planning & Resource Management Practice Questions
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2026 Statistics
Key Facts: S+SNZ Planning & Resource Management Exam
Portfolio + Interview
Assessment Format
S+SNZ
NZD $1,825
Exam Registration Fee (Excl. GST)
S+SNZ
2 Years
Min. Practical Experience
S+SNZ
Competent
Passing Standard
S+SNZ
The S+SNZ Professional Examination (Planning, Design and Resource Management Option) is the gateway for New Zealand surveyors and planners to demonstrate professional competency in resource management and subdivision planning. Candidates are assessed via a project portfolio and a face-to-face panel interview. Mastery of the RMA 1991, Section 223/224 processes, and sustainable urban design is required.
Sample S+SNZ Planning & Resource Management Practice Questions
Try these sample questions to test your S+SNZ Planning & Resource Management exam readiness. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 100+ question experience with AI tutoring.
1What is the core purpose of the Resource Management Act (RMA) 1991 as stated in Section 5?
A.To maximize the commercial development of urban land and infrastructure.
B.To promote the sustainable management of natural and physical resources.
C.To ensure the complete preservation of all natural environments from human activity.
D.To provide a framework for local councils to collect development contributions.
Explanation: Section 5 of the RMA 1991 explicitly states that the sole purpose of the Act is to promote the sustainable management of natural and physical resources.
2Under the Resource Management Act 1991, which of the following is defined as a 'matter of national importance' in Section 6?
A.The maintenance of efficient agricultural production on highly productive land.
B.The preservation of the natural character of the coastal environment, wetlands, lakes, and rivers.
C.The provision of affordable residential housing capacity in Tier 1 urban areas.
D.The optimization of local road networks to reduce vehicular emissions.
Explanation: Section 6(a) of the RMA 1991 identifies the preservation of the natural character of the coastal environment, wetlands, lakes, and rivers, and their margins as a matter of national importance.
3What does Section 8 of the Resource Management Act 1991 require all persons exercising functions under the Act to do in relation to the Treaty of Waitangi (Te Tiriti o Waitangi)?
A.Obtain prior written approval from the Waitangi Tribunal for all subdivision consents.
B.Give absolute veto power to local iwi over any land development projects.
C.Declare all ancestral land as restricted archaeological sites under Heritage New Zealand.
D.Take into account the principles of the Treaty of Waitangi.
Explanation: Section 8 of the RMA 1991 requires all persons exercising functions under it, in relation to managing the use, development, and protection of natural and physical resources, to take into account the principles of the Treaty of Waitangi (Te Tiriti o Waitangi).
4Which resource consent activity status represents an activity that is permitted by a district plan without the need for a resource consent, provided it complies with all relevant standards?
A.Permitted activity.
B.Controlled activity.
C.Restricted discretionary activity.
D.Discretionary activity.
Explanation: A permitted activity does not require a resource consent under the RMA, provided it complies with any relevant conditions/rules specified in the district plan.
5Under Section 11 of the Resource Management Act 1991, what is the default legal status of subdividing land in New Zealand?
A.Subdivision is permitted by default unless a district plan rule explicitly restricts it.
B.Subdivision is controlled by default and must always be granted by the territorial authority.
C.Subdivision is prohibited unless it is expressly allowed by a rule in a district plan or a resource consent.
D.Subdivision is illegal unless the land is classified as general freehold under the Land Transfer Act.
Explanation: Section 11 of the RMA states that no person may subdivide land unless the subdivision is expressly allowed by a national environmental standard, a rule in a district plan, or a resource consent.
6Under the Resource Management Act 1991, what is the primary distinction between a Controlled activity and a Restricted Discretionary activity?
A.Controlled activities do not require an Assessment of Environmental Effects (AEE), while Restricted Discretionary activities do.
B.Restricted Discretionary consents must always be publicly notified, whereas Controlled consents are never notified.
C.A Controlled activity consent must be granted by the council, whereas a Restricted Discretionary activity consent can be declined.
D.Controlled status only applies to regional plans, while Restricted Discretionary status only applies to district plans.
Explanation: Under Section 104A, the council must grant consent for a controlled activity (except in very limited circumstances such as Section 106 natural hazards). Under Section 104B, the council has the discretion to either grant or decline consent for restricted discretionary activities.
7Which Section 7 'other matter' in the Resource Management Act 1991 relates specifically to the exercise of guardianship by the tangata whenua of an area?
A.Kaitiakitanga.
B.The ethic of stewardship.
C.The maintenance and enhancement of amenity values.
D.Intrinsic values of ecosystems.
Explanation: Section 7(a) requires all persons exercising functions under the Act to have particular regard to kaitiakitanga, which is defined in Section 2 as the exercise of guardianship by the tangata whenua of an area.
8What is the role of a National Policy Statement (NPS) within the New Zealand Resource Management Act hierarchy?
A.It sets out binding building code regulations that override the Building Act 2004.
B.It acts as a national register of contaminated land that councils must clean up using crown funding.
C.It provides direction to local authorities on matters of national significance, which regional policy statements and plans must give effect to.
D.It is a set of rules that directly applies to individual building permit applications by-passing district plans.
Explanation: National Policy Statements (NPS) state policies on matters of national significance. Under the RMA, regional policy statements, regional plans, and district plans must 'give effect to' any relevant NPS.
9The National Policy Statement on Urban Development (NPS-UD) 2020 requires Tier 1 major urban councils to provide what type of development capacity for housing?
A.At least enough plan-enabled, infrastructure-ready, and commercially viable development capacity to meet expected demand.
B.A mandatory minimum of 50% social housing units in all subdivisions over 10 lots.
C.An immediate rezoning of all rural productive land within 15 kilometers of the city center.
D.Free infrastructure connections to all residential developments constructed within 5 years.
Explanation: The NPS-UD 2020 directs councils (particularly Tier 1 and 2) to provide sufficient development capacity to meet housing demand, ensuring that this capacity is plan-enabled, serviced by infrastructure (or funded), and commercially viable to develop.
10Under the National Policy Statement for Highly Productive Land (NPS-HPL) 2022, what is the primary restriction regarding subdivision of Class 1, 2, or 3 land?
A.Subdivision is permitted only if the lot sizes are kept below 500 square meters.
B.Subdivision is allowed if the applicant pays a soil degradation levy to the regional council.
C.Subdivision is restricted to lifestyle blocks where the owners maintain a commercial garden.
D.Subdivision of highly productive land is avoided unless it is for specified exceptions, such as infrastructure or mapping errors.
Explanation: The NPS-HPL 2022 aims to protect highly productive land (LUC Class 1, 2, and 3) from inappropriate use and fragmentation. It requires councils to avoid the subdivision of highly productive land unless specific, narrow exceptions apply.
About the S+SNZ Planning & Resource Management Practice Questions
Verified exam format metadata for S+SNZ Professional Examination — Planning, Design and Resource Management Option (New Zealand) is pending. The practice questions above remain available while official exam length, timing, passing score, fee, and administrator details are reviewed.