What does this event cover
The transition period to the new Planning system will take place over time for councils, communities, partners and stakeholders. Councils will need to operate in the Resource Management Act (with transitional rules) while preparing for the new system.
We are offering this webinar ahead of the new legislation being enacted to assist councils with organisational readiness.
This webinar will provide an overview of the transition timeline and a focus on consenting during the transition and recent RMA national direction changes. While the specific changes will be adjustments to existing consenting processes in the RMA, during the transitional period technical questions will arise for practitioners. This webinar is designed to provide information for leaders to start thinking about these questions, to help with resourcing decisions and organisational readiness, and to understand the expected differences for territorial authorities and regional councils, including implications for your staff.
We will also cover some of the impacts for your communities, partners and stakeholders. Understanding these impacts should help with communications during this period.
We are delighted to offer this webinar free of charge to councils, thanks to the support of the Ministry for the Environment.
This webinar will be of interest to all those with responsibilities for transitioning to the new planning system including chief executives and Tier 2 and 3s, change leads and communications staff.
Programme overview
Your facilitators and guest speakers
Sara Clarke
Sara leads the implementation of the new planning and environmental management system. She has deep experience working closely with local government in the implementation of government reforms. Sara has worked in the areas of environmental law, policy, sustainability, relationship management, project management, government administration and implementation. Her background includes technical experience in resource management, and climate change. She practiced as a lawyer and worked as a sustainability consultant before joining the New Zealand government in 2010.
Simon Markham
Simon Markham is Managing Director of Simon Markham Consulting Ltd and a senior public policy, local government, and disaster recovery advisor.
He has worked across New Zealand local government for more than three decades, including senior executive roles with city and district Councils.
He has advised councils, CDEM Groups, government and NGO sector organisations on emergency management reform, recovery governance, spatial planning, RMA reform, engagement, and strategic change.
Simon’s work has been recognised through a Civil Defence Emergency Management Ministerial Gold Award and multiple planning and local government excellence awards.
He is a Chartered Member of the Institute of Directors, a Life Member of Taituarā — Local Government Professionals Aotearoa, and serves in governance roles with for-purpose organisations including The Kind Foundation in Ōtautahi Christchurch.
Clare Wooding
Clare joined Taituarā in January 2025, as Manager, Sector Readiness. She brings with her the experience and relationships she developed working with the local government sector for more than 10 years at Local Government New Zealand and more recently at the Ministry for the Environment. Her career includes working for several councils in resource management-related roles.
Clare is working in Sector Readiness, focused on resource management reform and elections. She is particularly interested in working with the sector on implementation challenges.
In her free time, Clare enjoys tramping and walking and making the most of her commute from the Kapiti Coast to read.
