\section{Background}

\subsection{Consultation in EIA and the RMA}

- EIA in NZ differs from international best practice, because
  consultation before the application is lodged is not required

- consultation may be required by another Act; consultation with Maori
  (if affected) is usually required due to Treaty

- any results of consultation must be included in the AEE

refer to http://www.mfe.govt.nz/publications/rma/everyday/consent-consultation/


\subsection{AEE review and notification}

- council reviews AEE and decides whether to notify or not

- this is the point that Grinlinton is talking about. If the councils
don't review dilligently enough, proposals with incomplete or
misleading data are not challenged and pass through to a decision (for
non-notified applications) or enters limited notification where
directly affected people find a compromise with the applicant
(applicant can buy approval) or enters public submission stage. A
misleading AEE will be difficult for the public to challenge on
technical grounds.

% http://www.thefreelibrary.com/Mediating+sustainability%3a+the+public+interest+mediator+in+the+New...-a0176372138
\begin{quote}
According to one survey, only five percent of consent applications
are notified, (51) which is an important finding because, in general,
only those parties who make a submission on a notified consent
application have standing to appeal a council's decision to the
Environment Court.
\end{quote}

% TODO: review course readings to find problems

\subsection{Submissions from the public and hearings}

- in the case of public notification, council prepares a report based
on submissions, the AEE and additional evidence provided by the
applicant. The report is hence strongly influenced by the applicant's
input.