Resource Management Law Association of New Zealand- RMLA, New Zealand industry, Environment New Zealand, New Zealand Government, NZ Government, NZ Local Authority, NZ Law, Government local NZ, Government local New Zealand, department government New Zealand, legislation NZ, New Zealand legislation, foreshore legislation, Resource Management Act 1991, Resource Management Amendment Act 2003, Resource Management, NZVCC, New Zealand scholarship

In this section you will find details of the Award and Scholarship criteria and past RMLA Award and Scholarship Winners

		RMLA Awards RESOURCE MANAGEMENT LAW ASSOCIATION AWARDS - 2008 - CALL FOR NOMINATIONS The Resource Management Law Association makes annual awards in the field of resource management.

		The focus of the awards is to: Award excellence in statutory resource management documents including policy statements, plans, section 32 analyses or other such documents, prepared by or on behalf of government or local authorities in fulfilment of their duties under the Resource Management Act 1991 or other significant documentary contributions such as books and journals; Recognise outstanding contributions by individuals; and Award projects that have made a significant contribution to the development of best practice and the implementation of the RMA�s purpose and principles. See below for the criteria for each type of award. There is no formal nomination process. Simply send a copy of the nominated document with a covering note to: Karol Helmink Resource Management Law Association C/- 4 Shaw Way Hillsborough AUCKLAND 1041 The Closing Date for the Awards is Friday, 1 August 2008. Awards Criteria : Documentation The Award The RMLA occasionally makes awards to publications which make a significant contribution to the development of the law, theory or practice of resource management. Guideline This award of the Association shall be made at the discretion of the National Committee. Criteria The overall criteria for all documentation shall be that the document has made a significant contribution to the advancement of the law, theory and practice of resource management. In relation specifically to resource management documentation the following criteria are relevant: Judging shall be on the basis of both substance and form as follows: (Note: The word �plan� is used collectively to apply to all documents). Has the plan complied with the requirements of the Act for its class of document (refer sections 59 to 76 of Act)? Has the plan covered all matters required in Second Schedule Parts I or II? Evidence of section 32 analysis. Does the plan have a flow through issues, objectives, policies, methods and reasons to results? Are these interlinked in a transparent way? Have the issues, objectives, policies been stated appropriately? Does the plan or individual parts of it have an overall justification in terms of section 32? Is there consistency with other RMA documents? Does the plan demonstrate fairness between activities (i.e., effects - based)? Is there clarity in activity status (e.g., permitted activities do not have any reserved discretion; controlled activities have standards and terms and elements of control identified)? Has the plan applied best current knowledge or practice for various effects, or does it have any innovative techniques of merit? Form Clear expression, plain English Consistent use of terminology Logical pattern Ease of finding all policies, objectives, rules for one activity Typeface, size, leading, layout Maps and diagrams of clarity Awards Criteria : Outstanding Person Background The RMLA has an annual awards process in which awards are made for outstanding contributions to the law, theory and practice of resource management. Awards can be made for the production of a resource management document and the conduct of the process associated with this document � typically made to a regional or district council; or to an individual. This criteria relates to the latter category. Guideline The RMLA personal award is to be made for outstanding contributions only. For this reason it is not necessary to make an award each year. Criteria It is desirable that the person should be nationally recognised for their activities and contribution. The award is not for long service but is for a contribution that results in further development and understanding of the law, theory and best practice in resource management. The contribution could be made to a person within any one or more of the relevant sectors, including government, the judiciary, industry, private practice or the general public. Awards Criteria : Projects The Award The RMLA occasionally makes awards to projects which make a significant contribution to the development of best practice and the implementation of the RMA�s purpose and principles. Guideline This award of the Association shall be made at the discretion of the National Committee. Criteria The overall criteria for all projects shall be that the project has made a significant contribution to the advancement of best practice and the implementation of the RMA�s purpose and principles. In relation to projects the following criteria may be relevant: Has the project complied with all relevant provisions of the Act? Has the supporting documentation complied with all the requisite information requirements of the Act including the fourth schedule? Has the project demonstrated appropriate consultation practice both with iwi and the community? Does the project demonstrate fairness between activities? Have all relevant mitigation mechanisms been applied? Does the supporting documentation pass the clarity and presentation tests listed in the Awards Criteria Documentation list not otherwise set out here? Does the project apply best current knowledge or practice for various effects? Does it employ innovative techniques and methods of merit? The winner of each Award (if any) will be announced at the RMLA 2008 Conference dinner.

RMLA Scholarships
RESOURCE MANAGEMENT LAW ASSOCIATION POST-GRADUATE SCHOLARSHIP : RULES 2008

The Resource Management Law Association of New Zealand Inc., may, at its pleasure, provide one or more annual postgraduate scholarships for study at any approved University under the conditions set out below. Scholarships may be awarded for study at a New Zealand or overseas university.

Purpose

To encourage graduate students from a variety of disciplines such as law, planning, engineering, geography, science, landscape architecture, urban planning and resource management, to focus their research theses or dissertations on topics related to the application of resource management in New Zealand.

Eligibility

The scholarship is open to any graduate student in a New Zealand university registered for a Masters (including an undergraduate Honours degree involving advanced levels of research and study at Masters degree level) or PhD Degree, or, at the discretion of the Association, registered for an approved course at some other University or educational institution approved by the Association.

Applicants for the scholarship must:

have an excellent academic record (B+ or better);
be a New Zealand citizen, or permanent resident;
show that they are involved in extra curricular activities in addition to their studies.

Criteria for selection will be based on relevance of the proposed thesis or dissertation topic to advancing the study of resource management, within the context of resource management legislation in New Zealand and also to the prospective furtherance of the objects of the Association, which are to promote within New Zealand:

An understanding of resource management law and its implementation in a multi-disciplinary framework;
Excellence in resource management policy and process;
Resource management processes which are legally sound, effective and efficient and which produce high quality environmental outcomes.

The scholarship will be awarded without restriction of gender, ethnic background, creed or age.

In cases where there is no candidate who is considered by the Selection Committee to be of sufficient merit, no award will be made.

Value and Tenure

One or more postgraduate scholarships per annum, where there are worthy recipients, may be awarded out of an annual fund of $15,000. The scholarship amount may be increased for a Doctoral student up to $25,000 in appropriate cases. Awards may be made subject to acceptance into restricted courses. Any such scholarship will be tenable for one year only. Commencement may be delayed to coincide with an overseas university academic year. Tenure will be for a year in which thesis or dissertation work is the major academic activity.

At the discretion of the Resource Management Law Association of New Zealand Inc any award may be paid to the recipient in instalments.

Co-Tenure

The Scholarship may be held concurrently with other bursaries, awards, or scholarships, provided that the rules of the other award permit this.

Reports

Scholarship holders shall make a report of progress of their programmes to the Selection Committee as it may require and shall make a final detailed report to that body on the conclusion of the award. Holders, as a condition of the award, will be expected to contribute at least one relevant academic article to the Resource Management Journal or Resource Management Theory & Practice (to the satisfaction of the Editor or Editorial Committee of that Journal) during or at the conclusion of the award (see also below).

Selection

The scholarship will be awarded on the recommendation of a Selection Committee whose membership includes the Chairperson of the NZVCC (or nominee), and two representatives of the Resource Management Law Association of New Zealand Inc. The Selection Committee may require some candidates to attend a personal interview as part of the selection process. If more than one candidate in any particular selection is considered worthy of being awarded the scholarship, the committee may consider splitting the emolument.

Applications

Applicants should apply for the scholarship by completing the application form supplied by the NZVCC. Applications must reach the Scholarships Officer of the New Zealand University at which the applicant is currently enrolled by 1 October.

With the application, candidates shall forward an outline detailing the subject of their proposed thesis/dissertation and the name of their supervisor.

Termination

The NZVCC shall have the power (after consultation with the Selection Committee) to terminate any such scholarship and the emolument at any time if it is not satisfied with the work or conduct of the scholarship recipient.

Publicity

Applicants shall agree to cooperate with any public announcement of the award of the scholarships by the Resource Management Law Association of New Zealand Inc., which may include photographs of and interviews with the scholarship recipients.

A successful Applicant shall, upon request, supply to the Resource Management Law Association of New Zealand Inc for the purpose of any such public announcement and any other related publicity, a memorandum containing appropriate biographical details and a statement of the Applicant�s relevant future intentions.

Contributions to Resource Management News or Journals

Scholarship recipients may also be requested to contribute, for publication in the Resource Management Journal (formerly the Resource Management News), Resource Management Theory & Practice (or any successor publication) or the Association�s Website, copies of any written material they may have prepared as part of the work recognised by the scholarship, and shall agree to any reasonable request, subject to any prior commitments to other publications which would preclude publication by the Resource Management Law Association.