4.1 In preparing the District Plan, the Council employed the following guiding principles :

• Simplicity encourages understanding and compliance.
• Consistent with the purpose and principles of the Act, the Plan should reflect the needs of the Opotiki community.
• Care must be taken where the long term effects of activities are not easily foreseen.
• A mix of methods will be used to implement the purpose of the Act. Education to advocate the principles will be used before rules and regulation wherever this is possible.
• Once established, good environmental standards will be maintained.
• The cost of administering the Plan is affordable by Council and within the ability of the community to pay.
• The present quality of the district's environment must be maintained and where possible enhanced.