It is a comprehensive, technical, peer-reviewed update of the 1993 study, which was one of the first regional landscape analyses completed in response to the 1991 Resource Management Act. A number of maps illustrate geomorphological and landscape character information in a way that is easy to read and understand.

The focus of the study is on large-scale landscape patterns that are able to be distinguished at a regional level, rather than site-specific analysis.

This review and updates built upon the methods used in 1993 to reflect current best practices in landscape assessment. It is intended to provide a basis for informing further detailed landscape studies in the region. Where the study team identified discrepancies between the ONL areas identified in the 1993 study and the values identified in 2010, recommendations were made on possible changes to these boundaries.

The study was used by ECAN to inform the landscape chapter of the Canterbury Regional Policy Statement which Boffa Miskell also provided planning services for.

The study and RPS chapter withstood the scrutiny of the RPS hearing process and the findings were adopted in 2012.