17 Dec 2025
10 months ago
1389 views
Parliament has passed legislation aimed at improving court timeliness by updating procedures and increasing the number of High Court Judges from 55 to 60 to expedite serious cases. The Judicature (Timeliness) Legislation Amendment Bill introduces measures to streamline case management, prevent abuse of court processes, and enhance judicial efficiency across various courts. These changes prioritize faster justice for victims and families, ensuring the justice system operates more effectively and responsively.
17 Dec 2025
10 months ago
1372 views
Approximately 7,583 acres of Top of the South land will be returned to descendants of its original Te Tauihu Māori owners following a private litigation dating back to the 1840s, with the Crown acknowledging its legal duty and agreeing to a $420 million payment. Despite the land transfer, public access to key areas like the Abel Tasman Coast Track and Kaiteriteri Recreation Reserve will continue uninterrupted under a 25-year agreement, ensuring ongoing use by visitors, schools, and local communities. This resolution differs from Treaty settlements as it involves returning land to rightful owners based on private property law, balancing legal ownership with current public and conservation uses.
16 Dec 2025
10 months ago
1714 views
New Zealand’s Parliament has passed the first reading of the Planning Bill and Natural Environment Bill, which together will replace the Resource Management Act 1991 with a modern planning system aimed at boosting economic growth, simplifying regulations, and protecting the environment. The Planning Bill focuses on reducing red tape, consolidating regional plans, and streamlining consents, while the Natural Environment Bill sets clear environmental limits and promotes proportionate regulation with respect for property rights and Treaty settlements. These reforms are projected to save $13.3 billion over 30 years, facilitate infrastructure and housing development, support primary industries, and are open for public input through the select committee process before aiming for enactment in 2026.
10 Dec 2025
10 months ago
1284 views
Parliament has passed the Resource Management (Duration of Consents) Amendment Bill, extending existing or expired resource consents until 31 December 2027 to provide certainty for farmers, businesses, and councils during New Zealand’s transition to a new planning system. This temporary extension prevents costly and unnecessary replacement consent processes under the old Resource Management Act, aligning with ongoing reforms including the Planning Bill and Natural Environment Bill expected to extend consents to around 2031. The new legislation aims to support growth, housing, and environmental improvements by streamlining consent processes and introducing national standards during the transition.
09 Dec 2025
10 months ago
1130 views
The New Zealand Government is implementing urgent legislation to extend existing consents and ensure a smooth transition from the outdated Resource Management Act (RMA) to a new planning and environmental management system. These transitional arrangements will extend consent expiry dates to around 2031, allow new consent applications under a streamlined process, and prevent unnecessary costs and uncertainty for consent holders during the transition. The reforms aim to reduce red tape, support growth, improve environmental outcomes, and provide certainty while the new system, established by the Planning Bill and Natural Environment Bill, is fully implemented.
09 Dec 2025
10 months ago
1082 views
The New Zealand Government is replacing the Resource Management Act 1991 with a new planning system designed to simplify and accelerate infrastructure delivery, providing long-term certainty through spatial plans and streamlined consenting processes. Key reforms include protecting important sites early, standardizing rules for common activities, and enabling critical infrastructure projects to proceed even in protected areas, thereby reducing costs and delays. The legislation aims to unlock investment, support growth, and align infrastructure with development, with bills introduced to Parliament and national policy direction to be finalized within nine months of enactment.
09 Dec 2025
10 months ago
1056 views
Finance Minister Nicola Willis and RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop announced a major overhaul of New Zealand’s planning rules aimed at boosting economic growth, job creation, and income levels by replacing the Resource Management Act with a more efficient, pro-growth system. The reforms, introduced through two new bills—the Planning Bill and the Natural Environment Bill—are projected to save $13.3 billion in costs over 30 years and increase GDP by at least 0.56% annually by 2050, while strengthening property rights and reducing regulatory burdens. The Government plans to pass the legislation by 2026, inviting public input through the Select Committee process.
09 Dec 2025
10 months ago
1060 views
New Zealand is overhauling its Resource Management Act 1991 with a new planning system designed to simplify consents, speed up infrastructure and housing development, and strengthen property rights while protecting the environment. The reforms include fewer, faster plans, clearer national direction, mandatory regional spatial plans, and a new Planning Tribunal to reduce red tape and improve accountability, aiming to boost GDP by up to $3.1 billion annually by 2050. The government plans to introduce the bills to Parliament soon, with national policy direction and standards to follow, inviting public consultation through the Select Committee process.
05 Dec 2025
10 months ago
1144 views
New Zealand has updated its Public-Private Partnership (PPP) guidance to enhance clarity, consistency, and effectiveness in infrastructure delivery, building on lessons from past projects and international models. Key improvements include bid cost reimbursement, price validation, flexible works completion regimes, and provisions for project expansions, aiming to attract global investment and improve project outcomes. The updated guidance supports government agencies in delivering durable infrastructure that meets high standards, addressing New Zealand’s infrastructure challenges and aligning with global best practices.
02 Dec 2025
10 months ago
1016 views
The Wellington District Court's Disputes Tribunal has transitioned to electronic case files to provide faster, more flexible justice, allowing referees and staff to securely access and manage cases remotely. Following successful implementations in Christchurch and upcoming plans for Auckland, this digital shift aims to reduce delays and improve the system nationwide. The move supports small businesses and consumers by enabling quicker dispute resolutions, helping them recover losses and maintain operations efficiently.
27 Nov 2025
11 months ago
1307 views
Infrastructure Minister Chris Bishop has approved a Fast-track residential and retirement development in Riverhead, Auckland, by Rangitoopuni Developments Limited, which includes 208 residential allotments, a 296-unit retirement village, public amenities, and wetland protection. The project is expected to inject $708 million into Auckland’s economy and create over 7,000 jobs during its nine-year development. This marks the sixth housing project approved through the Fast-track system, which has now seen 24 projects referred by the Minister for Infrastructure to address housing and infrastructure needs.
27 Nov 2025
11 months ago
1103 views
Attorney-General Judith Collins announced a Public Inquiry into whether government agencies took all practicable steps to protect the Phillips children during their nearly four-year disappearance. The Inquiry, led by Justice Simon Moore KC, will be conducted privately to protect the children's welfare and will exclude findings on judicial decisions. A final report with recommendations is expected by 21 July 2026.
26 Nov 2025
11 months ago
1168 views
The Infrastructure Funding and Financing Amendment Bill aims to ease development by enabling upfront financing of growth infrastructure, allowing properties benefiting from development capacity to be levied, thus overcoming council funding constraints. The amendments will broaden project eligibility to include agencies like NZ Transport Agency and KiwiRail, remove bureaucratic barriers, and ensure faster decisions with fewer vetoes to accelerate infrastructure delivery. These changes support the Government’s Going for Housing Growth Programme by providing flexible funding tools that help both planned and unplanned infrastructure meet housing demand.
21 Nov 2025
11 months ago
1552 views
Attorney-General Judith Collins announced four judicial appointments effective late 2025 and early 2026: Justice Francis Cooke to the Supreme Court, Justice Rebecca Edwards to the Court of Appeal, and Michael Arthur and Amokura Kawharu to the High Court. Each appointee has extensive legal backgrounds, with Cooke and Edwards previously serving as High Court judges, Arthur specializing in commercial litigation, and Kawharu noted for her academic contributions and leadership at the Law Commission. These appointments reflect a blend of legal expertise across public law, commercial litigation, arbitration, and judicial experience.
07 Nov 2025
11 months ago
1079 views
Julie Hardaker and Leighton Evans have been appointed to the Charities Registration Board by Community and Voluntary Sector Minister Louise Upston, bringing legal, regulatory, and governance expertise to the Board. Jane Wrightson has been promoted to Chair of the Board, replacing outgoing chair Gwendoline Keel. The appointments aim to strengthen the Board's decision-making capacity and ensure effective operation in complex situations, with the Board overseeing decisions about the registration and deregistration of over 28,000 charities in New Zealand.