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Glossary

  • Papakainga
    a form of housing development which occurs on multiply-owned Maori or ancestral land. Traditionally, the literal meaning of papakāinga housing is, ‘a nurturing place to return to’.
  • Passive discharge
    the mobilisation of a contaminant through the soil into groundwater as a result of natural processes, for example, rainfall.
  • Papatipu rūnanga
    local representative groups. A Māori equivalent of local government formed to protect and defend the rangatiratanga, the tūrangawaewae, and the cultural and social values of their members. Canterbury papatipu rūnanga are outlined in the Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu Act 1996. 
  • Pathogenic
    in relation to hazardous substances, means the capability of causing disease in human beings. Read more about hazardous substances.
  • Peak oil
    as defined in the New Zealand Energy Strategy (2007), is the term used to describe the point when worldwide production of conventional crude oil peaks in volume, which is expected to result in an increase in oil prices from a decline in the availability of cheap and easily accessible oil sources.
  • Pentachlorophenol
    a chemical historically used as an anti-sapstain fungicide for short-term surface protection of sawn timber, often in conjunction with boron treatment. Pentachlorophenol (PCP) was used in the form of sodium pentachlorophenate (NaPCP). Pentachlorophenol was used in an oil carrier, such as diesel, for permanent protection of timber. PCP and NaPCP mixtures typically contain other chlorinated phenols and polychlorinated dioxins and furans as unwanted by-products of manufacture.
  • Permitted Activity
    an activity that can be carried out as of right without resource consent but may be subject to specified conditions.
  • Pest
    in the Natural Resources Regional Plan, pest has the same meaning as in the Biosecurity Act 1993, i.e. 'an organism specified as a pest in a pest management strategy.' See more about pest plants and animals.
  • Pest Management Liaison Committees
    around the region, advise Environment Canterbury on how the Regional Pest Management Strategy is best implemented. The strategy provides the framework for the control or eradication of specified animal and plant pests in the region. The committees also comment on Environment Canterbury’s annual budget for pest work and the level of targeted rate for their pest district and liaise between rural landholders and the council. The committees are elected every three years after the local body elections.
  • Pesticide
    a substance or mixture of substances represented as suitable for eradication or control of: a. any unwanted mammal, bird, reptile, amphibian, fish, insect, anthropod, mollusc, nematode or other worm, plant or fungus, not being an organism living on or in any man or any livestock; or b. any bacterium or virus affecting plants; whether by way of modification of behaviour or development or otherwise; and includes any substance or mixture of substances represented as suitable for use as a plant growth regulator, or a defoliant, or as a desiccant; but does not include a fertiliser, or an animal remedy within the meaning of the Animal Remedies Act 1967.
  • Pingao
    a fibrous plant used for decorative purposes such as uku panelling, the construction of kete (basket, kit), as well as for other weaving purposes.
  • PM10
    small particles in the air known as suspended particulate or PM10 (Particulate Matter with a diameter of 10 microns or smaller; 10 microns is equivalent to 10 millionths of a metre).
  • Point source discharge
    a discharge from a specific and identifiable outlet, onto or into land, air, a water body or the sea.
  • Policy
    a statement that guides or directs decision-making. A policy indicates a commitment to a course of action in working towards an objective.
  • Pollution Hotline
    24-hour, 7-day-a-week, Environment Canterbury phone number that the public can use to report any accident or event which is creating pollution – of air, waterways or land. You can contact the Pollution Hotline 24 hours, 7 days a week to report pollution. The Pollution Hotline's Phone Numbers: 366-4663 for Christchurch residents or 0800 76 55 88 for residents outside of Christchurch.
  • Pollution Prevention Guide
    Environment Canterbury’s Pollution Prevention Guide [PPG] is a tool that aims to help businesses prevent pollution from their operations. It is a simple set of checklists to help businesses carry out an environmental audit of their sites. It acts as a guide for businesses about how to comply with Environment Canterbury rules and reduce the risk of environmental issues on their sites. The PPG contains sections on drainage, spills, storage and handling, housekeeping, air quality and waste. See more about the PPG | View the on-line version of the PPG.
  • Pollution Prevention Officer
    a council officer who implements the pollution prevention programme with business.
  • Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbon (PAH)
    PAHs are hydrocarbon compounds, present in petroleum and related materials like diesel and heavy fuel oils. PAHs are also used in the manufacture of materials such as dyes, insecticides and solvents.  Some PAHs, such as benzo(a)pyrene are very carcinogenic. They are found in organic residues, such as soot, coal tar, and combustion exhaust. Other PAHs, such as naphthalene and pyrene are non-carcinogenic, but can be highly volatile as is the case for napthalene.  PAHs are also sometimes referred to as polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons.
  • Prill
    a solid pellet of poison which attacks bushy weeds. It dissolves under the plant in the rain and slowly kills the plant.
  • Primary production
    means the production (but not processing) of primary products including agricultural, horticultural, pastoral, aquacultural, and forestry products.
  • Processing Team
    a team of investigating officers specialising in particular types of resource consent applications, such as discharge, coastal, water and land use.
  • Profile Available Water (PAW)
    Profile Available Water (PAW) reflects the soil's capacity to hold water assessed for the soil profile to a depth of 0.9 metres and expressed as millimetres of water.
  • Project Aqua
    Meridian Energy’s 2003 proposal to construct a 60 kilometre canal and 6 power stations on the southern side of the lower Waitaki River.
  • Public Hearing
    applications are discussed and decided in a public forum, where the applicant and any submitters are able to put forward their case.
  • Public Notification
    where an application is advertised in the press and any person can make a submission on the proposal.
  • Putrescibles
    food waste.
  • Partially investigated
    The site has been partially investigated. Investigations have been conducted that –
    1.  demonstrate that there are hazardous substances present at the site; however, there is insufficient information to quantify any adverse effects or risks to people or the environment; or
    2.  do not adequately verify the presence or absence of contamination associated with all HAIL activities that are and/or have been undertaken on the site.

    Read more about contaminated site categories.

  • Piezometric
    the hydrostatic pressure level of the water in the aquifer.
  • Pā
    can refer to any Māori village or settlement, but in traditional use it referred to hillforts fortified with palisades and defensive terraces and also to fortified villages.
  • Pārera
    grey duck.
  • Patiki
    flounder.
  • Pukio
    sedge.