Articles tagged with Resource Management
2025 Parliamentary Highlights: Major Laws Passed to Boost NZ Economy & Society
1 week ago | 92 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 First Reading of New Planning Bills to Replace RMA in 2026
1 week ago | 142 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 committeeParliament Extends Resource Consents to 2027 Amid New Zealand’s RMA Reform Transition
2 weeks ago | 165 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 weeks ago | 158 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
2 weeks ago | 109 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
2 weeks ago | 403 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
2 weeks ago | 149 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
2 weeks ago | 396 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 weeks ago | 110 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 weeks ago | 129 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
2 weeks ago | 139 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 Local Government Reform: Simplifying City Planning & Regional Management
1 month ago | 131 viewsThe Government proposes major reforms to simplify local government by abolishing regional councils and replacing them with Combined Territories Boards composed of mayors, aiming to reduce duplication, costs, and complexity while enhancing accountability and regional collaboration. These Boards would lead locally-driven regional reorganisation plans to improve service delivery, infrastructure, and governance, with plans evaluated against criteria including financial responsibility, national priorities, local representation, and Treaty commitments. Consultation is open until February 2026, with the goal of establishing a more efficient, streamlined local government system that better serves communities and supports sustainable growth.
Tags: New Zealand government local government reform Mr Bishop Mr Watts regional councils Combined Territories Boards regional reorganisation resource management reforms Treaty settlements Department of Internal AffairsMilldale Housing Project Approved: Boosting Auckland Region Development
2 months ago | 260 viewsInfrastructure Minister Chris Bishop and Regional Development Minister Shane Jones have approved the Milldale housing project in Wainui, Auckland, which is expected to provide 1100 residential allotments and inject $595 million into the region over three years. The project aims to address housing shortages by creating jobs and streamlining development processes through the Fast-track Approvals Act. Minister Jones is collaborating with Minister Bishop on legislative changes to expedite regional housing projects and other developments in the pipeline.
Tags: Chris Bishop Shane Jones Milldale project housing development infrastructure deficit Auckland region resource management reforms legislative changes regional housing developmentsUnlocking Eden Park: Government Investigates Rule Changes to Boost Major Events Venue
3 months ago | 326 viewsThe Government aims to enhance Eden Park's status as a major events venue by investigating potential changes to local rules that may be limiting its capabilities. Eden Park, New Zealand's largest major events stadium, contributes significantly to Auckland's economy through concerts and sporting events. The investigation will assess current restrictions, such as limits on the number and timing of events, with the possibility of modifying these rules under the Resource Management Act to stimulate economic growth and development.
Tags: Eden Park Government Investigation RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop Tourism Minister Louise Upston Events Auckland Economy Planning Rules Resource Management ActRevitalizing the Property Sector: Updates on Market Cycles, Innovative Ideas, and Growth Opportunities in Queenstown
3 months ago | 412 viewsThe speaker expresses gratitude for being at an event in Queenstown hosted by the Property Council, emphasizing the importance of collaboration among various stakeholders in the property industry. They acknowledge the challenges faced by the construction and property sectors due to inflation and economic cycles but highlight government initiatives to support recovery, including reforms to streamline building processes. The speaker outlines key pillars of the Going for Housing Growth program and upcoming Resource Management Act reforms aimed at facilitating development and addressing infrastructure needs, concluding with a mention of City and Regional Deals as strategic partnerships to drive economic growth and housing development.
Tags: Leonie Freemen Minister Penk Shamubeel Eaqub Simplicity Reserve Bank Property Council Resource Management Act Going for Housing Growth Development Levies Infrastructure Funding and Financing Act