Articles tagged with Bill
Restoring 110 Hectares of Native Forest on Northland’s Kōwhairoa Peninsula
1 week ago | 115 viewsA restoration project on Northland’s Kōwhairoa Peninsula Historic Reserve aims to reestablish 110 hectares of native forest through planting 132,000 native trees and pest control, supported by $1.54 million in government funding. Led by Te Komanga Marae Trust and guided by ecologist Dr. Adam Forbes, the initiative revives a culturally and ecologically significant site cleared by early settlers, using locally-sourced seeds. The project, launched in 2019 and funded under the Provincial Growth Fund’s One Billion Trees programme, is progressing well and expected to be completed by the end of 2026.
Tags: Shane Jones Roger Kingi Adam Forbes Te Komanga Marae Trust Ngāti Kahu ki Whangaroa Te Uru Rākau Department of Conservation Provincial Growth Fund One Billion Trees NorthlandFisheries Reform: New Deemed Value Rules to Reflect Actual Fish Market Value
3 weeks ago | 332 viewsOceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones announced changes to the deemed value system for fish caught outside commercial quotas, allowing fees to better reflect the actual market value based on how fish are landed, such as fresh versus frozen. The amendment aims to address financial disadvantages faced by fishers using deepwater freezer vessels who currently pay deemed values based on higher fresh fish prices, by enabling alternative rates for inshore stocks caught as bycatch. Additionally, the proposal to allow commercial fishers to land and sell marlin bycatch has been rejected, with the Fisheries Act Amendment Bill set for introduction in early 2026 and public consultation to follow.
Tags: Shane Jones Fisheries Act Amendment Bill commercial fishers deemed value quota management system inshore stocks deepwater freezer vessels marlin bycatch fisheries reforms Oceans and Fisheries MinisterNew Zealand Updates Land Use and Natural Hazard Policies to Boost Development and Resilience
3 weeks ago | 165 viewsThe Government’s new reforms, effective today, aim to balance enabling urban development with protecting New Zealand’s most productive land, particularly by providing more flexible use of moderately productive Land Use Capability Class 3 land. Additionally, a new National Policy Statement for Natural Hazards introduces a consistent, risk-based approach for councils to manage natural hazard risks, enhancing community resilience amid climate change. These changes, part of the first tranche of national direction instruments under the RMA, support streamlined planning, safer communities, and will integrate with the upcoming modern planning system.
Tags: Chris Bishop Todd McClay RMA Reform National Policy Statement Land Use Capability Class 3 Natural Hazards New Zealand Government Agricultural Areas Climate Change Planning Bill2025 Parliamentary Highlights: Major Laws Passed to Boost NZ Economy & Society
1 month ago | 281 viewsIn 2025, the Government made significant legislative progress with 81 Government Bills becoming law, focusing on economic growth, law and order, and reducing living costs through key measures like the Investment Boost tax incentive and trade agreements. Notable achievements include the unanimous passage of the Parliament Bill, modernizing parliamentary governance, and streamlined processes for infrastructure and family support. The year also featured extensive parliamentary activity, including numerous bills introduced, readings, and questions, reflecting a busy and productive legislative session.
Tags: Chris Bishop Louise Upston New Zealand Parliament Government Bills Budget 2025 UAE Economic Partnership Resource Management Bill Public Works Bill Income Tax FamilyBoost 54th ParliamentNew Zealand Passes Legislation to Speed Up Courts and Add High Court Judges
1 month ago | 333 viewsParliament 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.
Tags: Paul Goldsmith Nicole McKee High Court Judges Judicature (Timeliness) Legislation Amendment Bill Senior Courts Act Criminal Procedure Act 2011 Court of Appeal Coroners Act 2006 New Zealand Justice systemNew Zealand Passes First Reading of New Planning Bills to Replace RMA in 2026
1 month ago | 394 viewsNew 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.
Tags: Chris Bishop Simon Court New Zealand Resource Management Act Planning Bill Natural Environment Bill RMA Reform Parliament environmental reform select committeeNew Zealand Sets Practical Biogenic Methane Target to Cut Emissions by 2050
1 month ago | 339 viewsThe New Zealand Government has passed the Climate Change Response Amendment Bill, setting a new biogenic methane reduction target of 14-24% below 2017 levels by 2050, while maintaining the net zero target for long-lived gases. The legislation supports farmers by emphasizing practical, technology-driven emissions reductions without compromising productivity or trade competitiveness, backed by over $400 million in investments for methane-cutting tools. Additionally, the Bill mandates a 2040 target review, protects food production in emissions budgeting, and clarifies the Emissions Trading Scheme’s role, aiming to provide certainty and move from debate to action in the agriculture sector.
Tags: Todd McClay Simon Watts biogenic methane Climate Change Response Amendment Bill New Zealand agriculture emissions methane targets Climate Change Commission Net Zero target emissions budgetHistoric Settlement Advances Support for Disabled Students in NZ Schools
1 month ago | 314 viewsThe Government has settled a 2012 Human Rights Review Tribunal claim by IHC regarding education policies that disadvantaged disabled students, committing to a Framework for Action to improve support for disabled and neurodiverse learners. This framework includes better data collection, improved specialist services, coordinated education agencies, inclusive curriculum, accessible infrastructure, and investigations into funding and ableism impacts. Significant investments, including $750 million in Budget 25, have been made to increase teacher aide hours, expand early intervention, overhaul funding models, and enhance curriculum and school infrastructure to ensure timely and adequate support for students with additional needs.
Tags: Erica Stanford IHC Ministry of Education Human Rights Review Tribunal Bill of Rights Act Learning Support Ongoing Resourcing Scheme New Zealand Curriculum Budget 25 Education MinisterJustice Committee Extends Arms Bill Submission Period – Have Your Say Now
2 months ago | 258 viewsAssociate Justice Minister Nicole McKee welcomes the Justice Select Committee’s extension of the submission period for the Arms Bill, encouraging New Zealanders to provide feedback to improve the legislation. She emphasizes the importance of input from licensed firearm owners and the public to create practical, responsible firearms laws through a thorough six-month consultation process. Early engagement has been significant, with over 8,500 submissions offering extensive feedback, and the new deadline for submissions is 16 February 2026.
Tags: Nicole McKee Justice Select Committee Arms Bill New Zealand Licenced Firearm Owner firearms law Justice Minister public consultation Arms Act rewrite New Zealand ParliamentParliament Extends Resource Consents to 2027 Amid New Zealand’s RMA Reform Transition
2 months ago | 381 viewsParliament 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.
Tags: Chris Bishop Simon Court Resource Management Act RMA Reform New Zealand Parliament Planning Bill Natural Environment Bill Resource consents RMA Amendment Bill New Zealand planning systemNew Zealand Extends Consents to Ensure Smooth Transition to New Planning System
2 months ago | 311 viewsThe 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.
Tags: Chris Bishop Simon Court New Zealand RMA Reform Resource Management Act Planning Bill Natural Environment Bill consents extension environmental management legislationNew Zealand’s New Planning System to Boost Renewable Energy Projects and Growth
2 months ago | 571 viewsNew Zealand’s Government is replacing the Resource Management Act 1991 with two new bills to streamline the planning system, aiming to accelerate renewable energy projects by cutting red tape and reducing costs. Energy Minister Simon Watts highlights that the reforms will provide clearer national policy direction, faster consents, and investor certainty, supporting a renewable electricity boom with 95% of future electricity from clean sources. The bills will be introduced to Parliament soon, with the goal of becoming law by 2026, and public input will be sought through the Select Committee process.
Tags: Simon Watts New Zealand Energy Minister Renewable Energy Resource Management Act Planning Bill Natural Environment Bill Electrify New Zealand National Policy Statement Infrastructure CommissionNew Zealand's New Planning System to Boost Housing Growth and Homeowner Freedom
2 months ago | 555 viewsThe New Zealand Government is overhauling its planning system to address the housing crisis by simplifying rules, increasing land supply, and enabling more competitive urban land markets, thereby making it easier and faster to build homes. The reforms include standardizing zoning nationwide, reducing consent complexities, allowing more development without council approval, and providing clear national direction with ambitious housing growth targets. These changes aim to lower costs, increase housing choice, strengthen property rights, and support sustainable urban expansion, with legislation expected to pass by 2026.
Tags: Chris Bishop New Zealand Government RMA Reform Housing Minister Planning Bill Resource Management Act Going for Housing Growth National Policy Statement ParliamentNew Zealand’s New Planning System Cuts Red Tape for Farmers and Growers
2 months ago | 269 viewsNew Zealand is replacing the Resource Management Act 1991 with two new bills—a Planning Bill and a Natural Environment Bill—to simplify land use regulation and better support farmers by reducing red tape, standardizing rules, and adopting a risk-based approach. The new system emphasizes property rights, fewer consents through flexible freshwater farm plans, and practical environmental management, aiming to lower costs and increase certainty for farmers while promoting sustainable practices. The bills will be introduced to Parliament soon, with public consultation planned and laws expected by 2026 to foster economic recovery and environmental stewardship.
Tags: Todd McClay Andrew Hoggard New Zealand Resource Management Act Planning Bill Natural Environment Bill farmers growers farm plans agricultureNew Zealand's Planning Reform Boosts Growth, Cuts Costs, and Modernizes Laws
2 months ago | 291 viewsFinance 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.
Tags: Nicola Willis Chris Bishop Simon Court New Zealand Resource Management Act Planning Bill Natural Environment Bill RMA Reform Finance Minister economic growth