Public Works Act reforms: faster acquisition, better compensation, fewer objections The Public Works Amendment Act 2026 has changed how land is acquired for public works in New Zealand, including new incentive payments for landowners and streamlined acquisition processes. We look at the key changes, when they apply and what they mean in practice. Read more
Excluded effects: a new line in the sand for planning decisions From 30 October, new excluded effects rules will change what councils can consider when assessing some land use consent applications. We explain how the rules affect councils and developers, and when a planning breach may no longer require consent. Read more
The RMA has left the building (sort of): what comes next? After 35 years, 29 Amendment Acts and a near-miss in 2023, the Resource Management Act 1991 is finally being replaced. Read more
Government seeks feedback on Illustrative National Policy Direction On 25 August 2026 RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop and Parliamentary Under-Secretary Simon Court released the Illustrative National Policy Direction (INPD) for public consultation and feedback. The National Policy Direction (NPD) forms a key part of the new legislative framework replacing the Resource Management Act 1991 (RMA), sitting below the Planning Bill and the Natural Environment Bill. Read more
Planning Bill and Natural Environment Bill: Key Select Committee Changes New Zealand’s resource management reforms have taken another significant step forward, with the Planning Bill (PB) and Natural Environment Bill (NEB) now reported back by the Environment Select Committee. Read more
New regulations making papakāinga developments easier New national papakāinga rules are now in force, creating a more consistent planning pathway for housing and related activities on Māori ancestral land. This article outlines where the new rules apply, what development may be permitted, and where resource consent may still be required. Read more
Public Works Amendment Bill aims to modernise how government works The Public Works Amendment Bill proposes major changes to how land is acquired and compensated for public infrastructure. With new incentive payments, streamlined acquisition processes, and reduced objection rights, these reforms could significantly affect landowners and project delivery. Here’s what you need to know. Read more
No paper road too remote: what will impact of latest Court of Appeal decision be? Last week, the New Zealand Court of Appeal handed down a significant judgment in Ours Not Mines Ltd v Hauraki District Council that has implications for how councils, landowners, developers and recreationalists think about the country's vast 55,000 kilometre-long network of unformed - or "paper" - roads. Read more
Good standards need good data: exploring the PCE’s review of the LUC system In December 2025, the Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment (PCE) published a detailed review of the Land Use Capability (LUC) system and how it is used across a range of regulatory instruments. The headline finding is that the LUC system has real limitations that make it a poor fit for the regulatory work it is increasingly being asked to do. However, the report's implications reach well beyond the LUC system itself and are worth paying attention to as New Zealand's resource management framework is reshaped. Read more
