Articles tagged with Planning
New Zealand Updates Land Use and Natural Hazard Policies to Boost Development and Resilience
2 weeks ago | 126 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 BillNew Crown Directors Appointed to Airways and Kiwi Group Capital Boards
1 month ago | 260 viewsState Owned Enterprises Minister Simeon Brown has appointed Mayurie Gunatilaka to the Airways Board and Susan Petersen to the Kiwi Group Capital Board, both for three-year terms. Gunatilaka brings extensive infrastructure governance experience to support Airways' air navigation services, while Petersen, also Chair of the Kiwibank Board, is the first KGC director to hold a position on Kiwibank’s Board, enhancing strategic alignment. These appointments aim to strengthen governance and leadership in critical sectors, with KGC adopting overlapping board memberships to boost strategic objectives while maintaining independent oversight.
Tags: Simeon Brown Mayurie Gunatilaka Susan Petersen Airways Board Kiwi Group Capital Kiwibank Board State Owned Enterprises Crown directors governance infrastructure planningNew Zealand Passes First Reading of New Planning Bills to Replace RMA in 2026
1 month ago | 343 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 Guidance to Boost New Zealand Government Infrastructure Management and Maintenance
1 month ago | 301 viewsNew Zealand’s Infrastructure Minister Chris Bishop announced new guidance from the Infrastructure Commission aimed at improving how government agencies maintain and manage nearly half of the country’s infrastructure assets. The Asset Management and Investment Planning guidance provides clear expectations, tools, and accountability measures to address widespread poor asset management in sectors like health, education, and justice. This initiative is part of a broader government program focused on practical improvements now and longer-term system changes, emphasizing the importance of maintaining existing infrastructure to avoid higher future replacement costs.
Tags: Chris Bishop New Zealand Infrastructure Commission Infrastructure Minister Asset Management Investment Planning New Zealand Government National Infrastructure Plan Infrastructure Maintenance Public Sector Government AgenciesParliament Extends Resource Consents to 2027 Amid New Zealand’s RMA Reform Transition
1 month ago | 318 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
1 month ago | 290 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: Simplified Local Government & Faster Decisions
1 month ago | 232 viewsNew Zealand’s new planning system aims to simplify local government processes by reducing complexity, cutting duplication, and delivering faster decisions through stronger national direction and fewer regional plans. The reform will replace over 100 existing policy statements with 17 regional combined plans developed in two years, aligning with proposed local government reforms to create simpler, more efficient governance structures. The government plans to introduce the related bills to Parliament soon, with national policy finalized within nine months and public consultation open until February 2026.
Tags: Chris Bishop Simon Watts New Zealand RMA Reform local government planning system Resource Management Act regional councils combined territories boards Expert Advisory GroupNew Zealand’s New Planning System to Boost Renewable Energy Projects and Growth
1 month ago | 550 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 Speed Up Infrastructure Delivery and Growth
1 month ago | 284 viewsThe 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.
Tags: Chris Bishop Simon Court New Zealand RMA Reform Infrastructure Commission Resource Management Act Government planning system infrastructure national policy directionNew Zealand's New Planning System to Boost Housing Growth and Homeowner Freedom
1 month ago | 531 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
1 month ago | 248 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
1 month ago | 249 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 growthNew Zealand’s New Planning System to Boost Growth, Simplify Consents & Protect Environment
1 month ago | 256 viewsNew 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.
Tags: Chris Bishop Simon Court Janette Campbell New Zealand Resource Management Act RMA Reform Planning Tribunal Environmental Defence Society Expert Advisory GroupNew Zealand's Infrastructure Pipeline Hits $275 Billion with 12,000 Projects
2 months ago | 293 viewsThe New Zealand Infrastructure Commission's latest update reveals nearly 12,000 infrastructure projects worth $275 billion, showing significant growth from $237 billion in June, with $181 billion now having full or partial funding. The Pipeline, covering projects across government and private sectors in areas like transport, water, and education, provides a comprehensive view to support better planning, economic growth, and workforce confidence. This update will guide the National Infrastructure Plan by highlighting funded and unfunded initiatives, improving decision-making and system performance nationwide.
Tags: Chris Bishop New Zealand Infrastructure Commission National Infrastructure Pipeline infrastructure projects infrastructure planning construction sector government agencies National Infrastructure Plan infrastructure investment infrastructure fundingEden Park Planning Restrictions Costing Millions: Public Feedback Invited for Proposed Changes
2 months ago | 383 viewsThe Government released an investigative report revealing that Eden Park's planning restrictions may be causing significant economic losses and job reductions, prompting calls for public feedback on proposed changes. The report highlights how current rules are hindering Eden Park's ability to contribute to Auckland's economic growth by imposing strict limits on events and activities. Recommendations include expanding event uses, increasing concert allowances, and implementing noise standards, with a public consultation process underway until November 19, 2025 to gather feedback for potential rule changes aimed at boosting local jobs and economic growth.
Tags: Eden Park planning restrictions lost revenue RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop economic growth local planning rules public feedback events tourism sectors consultation.