The new resource management bills are expected to pass into law before the general election in October. The Ministry for the Environment is looking into opportunities to make the transition and implementation of the reforms more efficient and effective through digital technologies with a view to improving citizen participation. Taituarā is working alongside to help this process.
Broader resource management reform context
The Ministry for the Environment (the Ministry) has been leading the legislative process to replace the Resource Management Act 1991 with the Spatial Planning Act and the Natural and Built and Environment (NBA) Act. These two measures are expected to be enacted prior to the general election.
Implementation of the new resource management system is complex and could take up to 10 years for all regions to implement. Supporting some regions to transition first will activate the new system promptly, as well as provide opportunities to shape how it is implemented. The Ministry will provide funding, technical support and guidance to up to three ‘first tranche’ regions to establish their regional planning committees, and then develop the first regional spatial strategies, and their Natural and Built Environment plans.
Toward a digital future for resource management reform
The Ministry is looking into opportunities to make the transition and implementation of the reforms more efficient and effective through digital technologies with a view to improving citizen participation.
Given the value digitalisation will play in a future Resource Management system, it is important that the Ministry’s implementation work programme is supported by a pathway for digital investment over the next 10 years. As such, in partnership with Taituarā and the Tasman District Council, the Ministry has engaged CoDigital Ltd to prepare an initial investment business case based on Treasury’s Better Business Case Framework.
Business case process and deliverables
The Ministry is being guided by an advisory group and a steering group established specifically for the Digital Futures Business Case project. Both groups have representation from local government, central government and iwi Māori.
The work of these groups is overseen by the Local Government Implementation Group.
An initial strategic assessment to Treasury is expected by the end of July 2023.
In conjunction with the advisory and steering groups, the project team will develop the remaining components of the business case, including a preferred digital pathway over the next 10 years between August 2023 and January 2024.
The feedback and insights gained from the Digital Futures Business Case project will be an input to support and prioritise digital investment with Ministers over the next financial year.
If you would like more information, please contact Vij Kooyela, Manager in the Data and Digital Enablement Team at the Ministry on vij.kooyela@mfe.govt.nz.