How to get some help You may need some help to sort out what rules and standards you have to meet to avoid having to get a resource consent.  Or if you need a consent, to ensure that you have undertaken an appropriate assessment of effects that addresses any adverse effects and know who you need to get approval from. You have a number of options to help you through these processes. The council -- your first port of call! The first step is always to contact the council to discuss the business you want to set up.  Remember that you may need to talk to two councils - the city/district and the regional council. Developing a relationship with the council/s so they understand what you are proposing can help when you are looking for a location to establish your business or going through the resource consent process. Make an appointment with a resource management staff member or planner You can pop into any council's customer service counter and get some initial information. But when you get into any detail about your business proposal, it is more efficient to ring and make an appointment with a resource management staff member or planner. Tell them why you want to meet and what you want to discuss. To make the meeting meaningful you should be able to give them the details of your business and where you are thinking about locating (if you know). When you make your appointment ask about the