Tararua District Council — Property Due Diligence Guide
Tararua District Council serves a rural district on the eastern side of the Tararua Range, with a population of approximately 18,000. The main towns are Dannevirke, Woodville, Pahiatua, and Eketahuna. The district is named after the Tararua Range, which forms a dramatic western backdrop and provides recreational opportunities.
Quick Facts
Useful Links
How to Order a LIM Report
Contact Tararua District Council directly to order a LIM. Standard processing takes 10 working days.
Tararua LIMs cover standard information including building consents, rates, zoning, and known hazards. The district's older building stock means some properties may have limited consent records for older work.
For rural properties, check the LIM for on-site wastewater and water supply details. Horizons Regional Council manages environmental consents for the area.
District Plan Zones
Tararua's District Plan includes these key zones:
- Residential Zone: Dannevirke, Woodville, Pahiatua, and Eketahuna
- Commercial Zone: Town centre areas
- Rural Zone: Farming and forestry land, which makes up the vast majority of the district
- Rural Lifestyle Zone: Smaller rural lots near townships
- Industrial Zone: Limited industrial areas in Dannevirke
The district plan reflects the rural nature of the area with relatively straightforward zoning.
Natural Hazards
Tararua's natural hazard profile includes:
- Flooding: The Manawatu River and its tributaries run through the district, creating flood risk in low-lying areas, particularly around Woodville and Dannevirke.
- Land instability: Hill country on both sides of the valley is prone to slips during heavy rain. The Tararua Range foothills have significant slope instability.
- Seismic activity: The district is in a moderate-to-high seismic risk zone, closer to the active plate boundary than western Manawatu.
- Wind: The Tararua Range funnels wind through the Manawatu Gorge area, creating severe wind conditions.
Building Consent & Code Compliance
Building consent is processed by Tararua District Council with a standard 20 working day target.
Wind loading is a specific consideration for buildings in parts of the district exposed to the Tararua winds. Rural building projects typically need to address on-site water and wastewater services.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Tararua a good alternative to the Wairarapa?
Tararua offers significantly cheaper property than the Wairarapa, though it is further from Wellington. Woodville provides the closest access via the Manawatu Gorge (Tararua Wind Gap). The trade-off is less access to Wellington-level amenities and a smaller local economy.
What wind considerations apply to property in Tararua?
Parts of the district experience severe wind, particularly near the Tararua Range and the Manawatu Gorge area. Building design needs to account for higher wind loading. Check the LIM for any wind zone classifications and ensure any property has been built or renovated to appropriate wind loading standards.
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