It mainly deals with issues arising under the Resource Management Act, meaning that it covers a wide range of potential future effects of planning applications, which can include such areas as traffic congestion, noise/pollution emissions and social and commercial consequences, rather than just the 'ecological' aspects that could be implied by the 'environmental' term.

[1] The Environment Court replaced the Planning Tribunal as a result of the Resource Management Amendment Act 1996.

[3] In particular, the Environment Court hears appeals on decisions on applications for resource consent on a 'de novo' basis.

"[4] The Environment Court also has the power to make declarations that interpret the law under the Resource Management Act.

Judges for the court are permanently stationed in Wellington, Auckland, and Christchurch, but they travel to other centres on circuit as needed.