Your resource consent is an important legal document giving you the right to use a resource or undertake an activity subject to conditions.

If you application was non-notified, you can start using your consent from the 'effective date' on your consent certificate, unless your consent conditions specify a later date. 

If you application was publicly or limited notified, the 'effective date' on your consent certificate is the date we sent you our decision on your application. We wait another 15 working days after the effective date to send your consent certificate, in case any appeals are made to the Environment Court. When you receive your certificate you can start using your consent, unless your consent conditions specify a later date.