6.5 Temporary activities
1. Activity table
The following table specifies the activities status of temporary activities in all zones and public places, including roads.

The duration of the temporary activities specified below includes the time required to establish and remove all structures and activities associated with the activity and reinstate the site to its original condition.

All events on public land or water must obtain an event licence from the council (and permission from Auckland Transport if required for activities on roads) in addition to any resource consent requirements. The approval of the Harbourmaster is required for events in navigable water.
Activity CMA (rcp) Land (dp)
Temporary activities in public places (except in the City Centre and Metropolitan Centre zones) up to five consecutive days  NA  P
Temporary activities in public places (except in the City Centre and Metropolitan Centre zones) more than five consecutive days  NA  D
Temporary activities in public places within the area of the City Centre and Metropolitan Centre zones for up to 21 consecutive days  P  P
Temporary activities in public places within the area of the City Centre and Metropolitan Centre zones for more than 21 consecutive days  RD  RD
Temporary activities in the Auckland Domain
• for up to 12 consecutive days, and
• for up to three times between 2 October and 31 April
  NA  P
Temporary activities in the Auckland Domain not otherwise provided for  NA  RD
Temporary activities in public places in the CMA (except in the City Centre and Metropolitan Centre zones) up to 14 consecutive days in a six-month period  P  NA
Temporary activities in public places in the CMA (except in the City Centre and Metropolitan Centre zones) not otherwise provided for  RD  NA
 Temporary activities in coastal SEA Marine 1 areas or ONF Type and, B, C, E and F areas  D  NA
Noise events in public places  P  P
Noise events on private land (except sites within residential zones)  NA  RD
Noise events on sites within residential zones  NA  D
Filming activities up to 30 consecutive days  P  P
Markets - up to six per site annually if undertaken by schools, churches, charities and community groups for fund raising purposes  P  P
Temporary storage or stacking of goods for up to six consecutive months in any 24-month period that are not more than 2m high if placed within 2m of a site within the residential zones  NA  P
The use of shipping containers on a site within the residential zones for one month in any 12 month period  NA  P
Temporary structures located on private land for up to 12 consecutive months in any 24-month period when associated with a construction site  NA  P
Temporary structures located on private land for up to 12 months in any 24-month period when associated with the construction or restoration of boats, caravans and similar objects for that person's recreational purposes  NA  P
The use of any fireworks:
• on any day between 5pm-10.30pm except New Year’s Day
• between 5pm on New Year’s Eve and 1am on New Year’s Day
• on any day between 5pm and midnight with an event licence
  P  P
Military activities on land under the control or ownership of the New Zealand Defence force  P  P
Temporary military activities on locations which are not under New Zealand Defence control or ownership  P  P
Underwater explosives training  D  NA
2. Development controls
1. The following do not apply to the buildings and structures associated with temporary activities:
a. the development controls of the zone e.g. building height and yards
b. the Auckland-wide transport rules unless required elsewhere in this section.
2.1 Noise events outside the City Centre zone
1. Up to 15 noise events are allowed in a venue in any 12-month period with no more than two noise events in a seven-day period. The noise event must:
a.not exceed six hours, excluding up to two hours required for sound testing and balancing on the day of the event, which must not start until 9am and must be completed by 7pm
b. not exceed 70dB LAeq and 80dBA L1 except where higher noise levels are provided for in 2 below 
c. start after 9am and end by 1am on New Year's Day, and by 11pm at all other times.
2. Three of the allowable noise events may be up to 80dB LAeq and 90dBA L1 for a maximum of three hours, excluding up to one hour required for sound testing and balancing on the day of the event, provided that this does not start until 9am.
3. Clause 1(a) and (b) above do not apply to the Auckland Domain where three of the allowable noise events have no noise limit.
2.2 Noise events in the City Centre zone
1. Up to 18 noise events are allowed in a venue in a 12-month period in the City Centre zone except that no more than two noise events can occur within a seven-day period.
2. The noise events must comply with clause 2.1(1) above except where higher noise levels are provided for below.
3. Three of the allowable noise events may be up to 80dB LAeq and 90dBA L1 for a maximum of three hours, excluding up to one hour required for sound testing and balancing on the day of the event provided this does not start until 9am and is completed by 7pm.
4. Three of the allowable noise events may not exceed 90dB LAeq(15min) and 95dBA L1 for a maximum of three hours, excluding up to one hour required for sound testing and balancing on the day of the event provided this does not start until 9am and is completed by 7pm.
2.3 Measurement of noise events
1.The noise levels of noise events must be met when measured 1m from any adjacent building outside the venue that is occupied during the event. For noise events in the City Centre zone, the noise levels must be met both within and outside the city centre. The LAeq noise levels to be met are incidence noise levels averaged over the duration of the event but are not to include sound testing or balancing. No corrections can be made to the measured incident noise level. Crowd noise must not be included in any noise measurement.
2.4 Traffic
1. An event in a rural zone must not generate more than 500 vehicle movements per day on adjacent roads.
2.5 Temporary military training
1.Temporary military training activities are permitted activities on locations that are not under New Zealand Defence control or ownership where the following controls are met.
a.Training activities at any given location are limited to a period not exceeding 12 consecutive days in any 12-month period.
b.Training activities carried out in the region per year must not exceed a total of 100 day.
c.No more than two training activities may be carried out within a 5km radius of each other within any 12-month period.
d.During any training activity, the use of guns, mortars or any other explosive devices may occur only within a maximum of two periods of up to two consecutive days each, with a minimum of four days between each such two-day period and must meet the following requirements.
Table 1
 Type of military noise  Time (on all days)  Separation distance to any noise sensitive land use
Live firing of weapons and single or multiple explosive events
 7am to 7pm (day time)
  1500m minimum Less than 1500m if conditions (i) and (iii) below are complied with
7pm to 7am (night time)  4500m minimum Less than 4500m if conditions (ii) and (iii) below are complied with
Firing of blank ammunition 7am to 7pm  750m minimum Less than 750m if conditions (i) and (iii) are complied with
7pm to 7am  2250m minimum Less than 2250m if conditions (ii) and (iii) are complied with
i.Day time noise levels must not exceed a peak sound level of 120dBC when measured at or within the notional boundary of any activity sensitive to noise.
ii.Night time noise levels must not exceed a peak sound level of 90dBC when measured at or within the notional boundary of any activity sensitive to noise.
iii.The activity is undertaken in accordance with a noise management plan prepared by a suitably qualified acoustic engineer and approved by the council at least 15 working days prior to the activity taking place. The noise management plan must contain as a minimum:
•a description of the site and activities taking place on the site including times, dates and duration of the activities, and the nature and location of the proposed training activities
•methods to minimise the noise disturbance for activities sensitive to noise including the location, orientation and timing of noisy activities
•a map showing potentially affected activities sensitive to noise and predicted peak sound pressure noise levels for each of these locations
•a programme for notification and communication with the occupiers of activities sensitive to noise at least seven days before the activity is commenced
•a method for following up complaints received by the council during and after the event and any proposed de-briefings with council officers.
iv.Mobile noise sources except those in the table above shall not exceed 90dB LAFmax during the daytime (7am to 7pm) and 75dB LAFmax during the night time when measured at or within the notional boundary of any activity sensitive to noise.
v.Stationary noise sources except those in the table above must not exceed the following levels when measured at or within the notional boundary of any activity sensitive to noise.
Table 2:
 7am-10pm  55dB LAeq(15 min)
 10pm to 7am on all days  45dB LAeq(15 min)
 75dB LAFmax
vi.All helicopter landing areas must comply with a noise level of 60dBA Ldn when the noise affects activities sensitive to noise and 75dBA Ldn when the noise affects other activities.
3. Assessment - Restricted discretionary activities
3.1 Matters of discretion

The council will restrict its discretion to the matters below for the activities listed as restricted discretionary in the activity table.


1. Temporary activities in public places within the area of the City Centre and Metropolitan Centre zones for more than 21 consecutive days, temporary activities in the Auckland Domain not otherwise provided for, temporary activities in public places in the CMA (except in the City Centre and Metropolitan Centre zones) not otherwise provided for and noise events on private land (except sites within residential zones)
a.noise, lighting and hours of operation
b.traffic and access
c.visual amenity.
3.2 Assessment Criteria

The council will consider the relevant assessment criteria below for the restricted discretionary activities listed above.


1. Temporary activities in public places within the area of the City Centre and Metropolitan Centre zones for more than 21 consecutive days, temporary activities in the Auckland Domain not otherwise provided for, temporary activities in public places in the CMA (except in the City Centre and Metropolitan Centre zones) not otherwise provided for and noise events on private land (except sites within residential zones)
a. Noise, lighting and hours of operation
i.Noise from the activity should not have a significant adverse effect on the amenity of surrounding residential properties. In determining this, consideration will be given to:
•the location, duration and timing of the activity and the day/s of the week on which it will occur
•the measures to mitigate noise and light spill
•any proposed measures to manage levels of low frequency noise or very loud noises, particularly for night time activities.
b.Traffic generation and access
i.The extent to which the location, scale and intensity of the activity and any associated car parking, including provision for public transport will affect the efficiency of traffic movements and the safety of pedestrians.
ii.The extent to which the activity will impact on other activities at the location, including the impact on public access.
c.Land disturbance
i.Disturbance to any land, foreshore or seabed or any damage to vegetation should be avoided, remedied or mitigated.
4. Assessment - Development control infringements
4.1 Matters of discretion
1.In addition to the general matters of discretion in clause 2.3 of the general provisions, the council will restrict its discretion to the matters below for the listed development control infringement.
a.Exceeding the duration or noise level of a noise event
i.Noise effects.
b.Events exceeding 500 vehicle movements on roads adjacent to the activity on a site in the rural zones
i.Traffic and access.
4.2 Assessment criteria
1.In addition to the general assessment criteria in clause 2.3 of the general provisions, the council will consider the relevant criteria below for the listed development control infringement.
a.Exceeding the duration or noise level of a noise event
i.Refer to the relevant assessment criteria in 3.2 above
b.Events exceeding 500 vehicle movements on roads adjacent to the activity on a site in the rural zones
i.Refer to the relevant assessment criteria in 3.2 above.