A resource consent is formal approval from your council to do something that they haven't clearly identified in their plan as either permitted or prohibited. It includes things like: using or subdividing land. taking water. discharging contaminants in water, soil or air.

A building consent is a formal approval granted by your local council under the Building Act that allows a person to carry out building work. Building work includes work in connection with the construction, alteration, demolition or removal of a building.