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Making Good Decisions

WSP Environmental Training Centre delivers the “Making Good Decisions (MGD) Programme” on behalf of the Ministry for the Environment. The purpose of MGD is to help councillors, community board members, and independent commissioners make better decisions under the Resource Management Act 1991 (RMA). It provides RMA decision-makers with the skills needed to run fair and effective hearings, and to make informed decisions.

The programme covers three courses:

Foundation – this course is intended for Councillors, Council officials, industry professionals and iwi groups to obtain certification to sit as an accredited member of a Hearings Panel.
Recertification for Panel members – this course is intended for existing certified panel members who wish to recertify before the expiration of their certificate.
Recertification for Panel Chairs – this course is intended for commissioners who are already experienced Chairs or who would like to develop skills as Chairs.

 

While new legislation is coming into force to replace the RMA, it is very important to ensure commissioners are still undertaking training to maintain capacity and capability, and the integrity of the existing system.

The Natural Built Environment Act (NBEA) and Spatial Planning Act (SPA) received Royal assent on 23 August 2023. There are a few provisions that apply on the day after Royal assent and some that will take effect within a few months. But in general, the new system will turn on region-by-region. Until this time, the RMA will remain in place and policy, plan and consent decisions will continue to be made under it. There will be a transition period that could be up to 10 years.

With the new legislation requiring commissioners be accredited there will still be a need for the Making Good Decisions programme.

Foundation

MGD Foundation Course 2023

Two day

$2,318.00 excl. GST

The aim of the Foundation course is to provide participants with the skills and knowledge to guide them through the ethical, legal and practical requirements of decision making under Resource Management Act 1991 (RMA).

More information

Panel Recertification

MGD Panel Recertification Course 2023 - Interactive Online

One Day

$1,375.00 excl. GST

The Panel Recertification course now has the option of an Interactive Online course with a mix of online activities and live sessions run through MS Teams throughout the day. The aim of the course is to share knowledge and experiences gained since attendance of a prior course and to ensure your knowledge is up to date with legislative changes and case law decisions. It will also help further develop the range of complex skills required to be a successful Panel member.

More information

MGD Panel Recertification 2023

One day

$1,375.00 excl. GST

The aim of the Panel Recertification course is to share knowledge and experiences gained since attendance of prior course and to ensure your knowledge is up to date with legislative changes and case law decisions. It also helps further develop the range of complex skills required to be a successful Panel member.

More information

Chair Recertification

MGD Chair Certification and Recertification Course 2023

One Day

$1,707.00 excl. GST

The aim of the Chair Recertification course is to enable Chairs whose certification expires to gain re-certification and for potential new Chairs to gain endorsement. Develop the skills and behaviours required of a Chair, also share your experiences and gain knowledge from other Chairs.

More information

MGD Chair Certification and Recertification Online Interactive 2023

One Day

$1,707.00 excl. GST

The Chair Certification and Recertification course is now available to be completed online with a mix of online activities and live MS Teams sessions on the day you have registered for. The aim of the course is to enable Chairs whose certification expires to gain re-certification and for potential new Chairs to gain endorsement, develop the skills and behaviours required of a Chair and to share your experiences and gain knowledge from other Chairs.

More information

Making Good Decisions

MGD Foundation Course 2023

Two day

$2,318.00 excl. GST

The aim of the Foundation course is to provide participants with the skills and knowledge to guide them through the ethical, legal and practical requirements of decision making under Resource Management Act 1991 (RMA).

More information

MGD Panel Recertification Course 2023 - Interactive Online

One Day

$1,375.00 excl. GST

The Panel Recertification course now has the option of an Interactive Online course with a mix of online activities and live sessions run through MS Teams throughout the day. The aim of the course is to share knowledge and experiences gained since attendance of a prior course and to ensure your knowledge is up to date with legislative changes and case law decisions. It will also help further develop the range of complex skills required to be a successful Panel member.

More information

MGD Panel Recertification 2023

One day

$1,375.00 excl. GST

The aim of the Panel Recertification course is to share knowledge and experiences gained since attendance of prior course and to ensure your knowledge is up to date with legislative changes and case law decisions. It also helps further develop the range of complex skills required to be a successful Panel member.

More information

MGD Chair Certification and Recertification Course 2023

One Day

$1,707.00 excl. GST

The aim of the Chair Recertification course is to enable Chairs whose certification expires to gain re-certification and for potential new Chairs to gain endorsement. Develop the skills and behaviours required of a Chair, also share your experiences and gain knowledge from other Chairs.

More information

MGD Chair Certification and Recertification Online Interactive 2023

One Day

$1,707.00 excl. GST

The Chair Certification and Recertification course is now available to be completed online with a mix of online activities and live MS Teams sessions on the day you have registered for. The aim of the course is to enable Chairs whose certification expires to gain re-certification and for potential new Chairs to gain endorsement, develop the skills and behaviours required of a Chair and to share your experiences and gain knowledge from other Chairs.

More information

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