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A Community Development Agreement creates a formal partnership between businesses (often mining or infrastructure companies) and local communities in New Zealand. It spells out how a company will share benefits, manage impacts, and contribute to community wellbeing throughout their project's lifecycle.

These agreements typically cover employment opportunities, environmental protection, cultural heritage safeguards, and local economic development initiatives. Under the Resource Management Act and Te Tiriti o Waitangi principles, they help ensure meaningful engagement with M��ori communities and other stakeholders while providing a clear framework for delivering promised community benefits.

Use a Community Development Agreement when launching major projects that significantly impact local communities in New Zealand, especially in mining, infrastructure, or large-scale development. These agreements become essential before beginning resource consent applications or when engaging with iwi and hap�� about land use or natural resource management.

The timing often aligns with early project planning stages, particularly when seeking social license to operate or demonstrating commitment to Treaty principles. Having this agreement in place helps prevent disputes, builds community trust, and creates clear frameworks for benefit-sharing before substantial investments or construction begin.

• Basic Agreements focus on core benefit-sharing and consultation frameworks, commonly used for smaller development projects
• Comprehensive CDAs include detailed environmental management plans, cultural heritage protection, and long-term community investment strategies
• Iwi Partnership Agreements emphasize Treaty principles, mana whenua rights, and specific cultural commitments
• Infrastructure-specific CDAs outline community facilities, local employment targets, and service delivery arrangements
• Resource Extraction Agreements detail revenue sharing, environmental monitoring, and rehabilitation commitments for mining or forestry projects

• Project Developers: Mining companies, infrastructure firms, or commercial developers who initiate projects and commit to community benefits
• Iwi and Hap��: Local M��ori groups who negotiate cultural protections, resource access, and benefit-sharing arrangements
• Local Councils: Regional authorities who oversee compliance and integrate agreements with resource consent processes
• Community Representatives: Elected officials or appointed leaders who represent broader community interests and monitor implementation
• Legal Advisors: Specialists in resource management and Treaty law who draft and review agreement terms

• Project Scope: Document your project's size, timeline, and potential community impacts
• Stakeholder Mapping: Identify all affected iwi, hap��, and community groups in the project area
• Impact Assessment: Gather data on environmental, social, and cultural effects of your planned activities
• Benefit Package: Outline proposed community investments, employment targets, and revenue sharing arrangements
• Consultation Plan: Schedule engagement meetings with key stakeholders to discuss and refine agreement terms
• Legal Framework: Review Resource Management Act requirements and relevant Treaty obligations

• Parties and Scope: Clear identification of all parties, project boundaries, and duration of agreement
• Treaty Principles: Explicit recognition of Te Tiriti o Waitangi obligations and consultation commitments
• Benefit Sharing: Detailed provisions for community investment, employment, and economic opportunities
• Cultural Protection: Specific measures to protect w��hi tapu and cultural heritage sites
• Monitoring Framework: Clear KPIs, reporting requirements, and community oversight mechanisms
• Dispute Resolution: Culturally appropriate conflict resolution processes and remediation procedures

A Community Development Agreement differs significantly from a Development Agreement in several key ways. While both involve project planning, their scope and focus are quite distinct.

• Purpose and Scope: Community Development Agreements specifically address social impact and community benefits, while Development Agreements focus primarily on construction terms and commercial development rights
• Stakeholder Involvement: CDAs require extensive iwi and community consultation, whereas Development Agreements typically involve only developers and local authorities
• Legal Framework: CDAs align with Treaty principles and social license requirements, while Development Agreements center on building codes and zoning regulations
• Duration and Monitoring: CDAs often span the entire project lifecycle with ongoing community oversight, whereas Development Agreements usually conclude once construction is complete