What does this event cover

Natural-hazard reform is arriving through several pathways at once. The Emergency Management Act 2026 is now enacted, the National Policy Statement for Natural Hazards (NPS-NH) is shaping RMA consenting, and the Planning and Natural Environment Acts will introduce a new approach to spatial planning, planning and consenting. Further national direction, climate-adaptation and local government changes are also expected.

For councils, the challenge is making these different systems work together. How do you ensure emergency-management priorities, spatial planning, consenting, infrastructure resilience, adaptation and investment are informed by consistent evidence and support coherent risk decisions – while each statutory body continues to exercise its own legal powers?

This practical webinar will help you understand what applies now, what is still proposed or illustrative, and where your organisation can start preparing.

Using a simple ‘one risk system’ approach and a worked hazard scenario, we’ll explore how the same evidence can inform different legal tests and decisions across your organisation.

You’ll come away with a clearer understanding of:

  • the current NPS-NH/RMA consenting framework and how it differs from the emerging planning system and NPD
  • how a ‘twin statutory governance, one risk system’ approach could help connect responsibilities while maintaining appropriate legal decision-making
  • how to connect Regional Emergency Management Plans, Regional Spatial Plans, adaptation, Long Term Plans, infrastructure and investment decisions
  • practical actions you can take now, including improving evidence and version control, auditing consent practice, mapping infrastructure dependencies and connecting Regional Emergency Management Plans and Regional Spatial Plans
  • where it makes sense to preserve flexibility while further legislation, national direction and standards are developed.

The focus will be on the practical management challenge rather than legislation alone – helping you identify what your council can do now to make more connected and consistent natural-hazard risk decisions.

Who should attend?

Local-government lawyers; policy, district and regional planners; strategic planners; emergency-management practitioners; natural-hazard/GIS/science advisers; climate-adaptation staff; infrastructure and asset managers; LTP/finance leads; governance/reform managers; and senior leaders responsible for coordinating planning, resilience and investment.

Programme overview

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Your facilitators and guest speakers

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.