Insight 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
Insight 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
Insight 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
Insight 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
Insight The road to reform: Natural and Built Environment Act and Spatial Planning Act given Royal Assent. What does this mean now? Natural and Built Environment Act and Spatial Planning Act Granted Royal Assent. What's Next Read more
Insight The road to reform: Environment Select Committee releases its reports on the Natural and Built Environment Bill and Spatial Planning Bill On June 27, the Environment Committee reported on the NBE Bill and Spatial Planning Bill, aiming to reform NZ's environmental law. Here are five key takeaways. Read more
Insight Freshwater Farm Plans: what you need to know A key part of the Government's Essential Freshwater 2020 package was the proposal to improve farm practices by requiring all farmers have a farm plan with a freshwater module (known as Freshwater Farm Plans or FW-FPs). The idea was that FW-FPs would help farmers understand the unique environmental issues on their properties and respond accordingly. Read more
Insight Under the covers of RMA reform – changes to planning, consenting and much more On November 15, 2022, the Government introduced two Bills to replace the Resource Management Act. The Natural and Built Environment Bill has significant, less-publicized changes to consider. Read more
Insight Elections are over – let the triennium begin With new leaders, it is timely to reflect on what to expect at the first meeting and recap on conflicts of interest before reflecting on the challenges ahead for this cohort of mayors, councillors and local board members. Read more
Insight It’s land. It’s wet. But is it a wetland? Central Government’s Essential Freshwater Package had admirable ambitions: halting degradation of freshwater, making improvement to water quality within five years and reversing past damage to waterways and ecosystems within a generation. Read more
