34Operational principles

#### 34 Operational principles (1) Before preparing a zoning plan in respect of an area, the Authority must, by writing, determine principles relating to the preparation of the proposed plan. (2) The principles must cover the environmental, economic and social objectives of the proposed plan. The principles may cover other matters. (3) The Authority must give the principles to the Minister for his or her approval. (4) The Minister must: (a) approve the principles; or (b) refer the principles to the Authority, together with the Minister’s suggestions, for further consideration. Process after principles are referred to the Authority (5) If the principles are referred to the Authority, it must, as soon as practicable after the referral, give further consideration to the principles, having regard to the Minister’s suggestions. (6) The Authority must again give the principles, with or without alterations, to the Minister, together with its comments on the Minister’s suggestions. (7) If the principles are again given to the Minister, he or she must, as soon as practicable after receiving them: (a) approve them; or (b) approve them after making such alterations as the Minister thinks fit. (8) If the Minister alters the principles under subsection (7), the Minister must prepare a report: (a) specifying the alterations; and (b) setting out any views expressed by the Authority in respect of the matters to which the alterations relate. (9) The report must accompany the plan when it is laid before both Houses of the Parliament under section 38 of the Legislation Act 2003. Principles to be publicly available (10) The Authority must make the principles publicly available. Principles are not a legislative instrument (11) The principles are not a legislative instrument.