Any person or organisation may make a submission on a publicly notified resource consent application. Applications are publicly notified if the effects of the proposed activity on the environment or on people are more than minor.

A hearing is the formal meeting where a hearing committee considers and decides on resource consent applications. It takes place if one or more of the submitters (or the applicant) asks to be heard, or if Greater Wellington thinks it necessary.

All hearings are open to the public, including the media, unless it is necessary to protect sensitive information. However, the only people who can speak at the hearing are the applicant, submitters who have reserved the right to be heard, Greater Wellington staff and the hearing committee members.