Overview
The Government is replacing the Resource Management Act (RMA) two Acts:
- a Natural Environment Act to establish a framework for the use, protection and enhancement of the natural environment
- a Planning Act to establish a framework for planning and regulating the use, development and enjoyment of land
The key components include:
Features of the proposed system agreed to by cabinet include:
- Two new Acts: one to enable urban development and infrastructure / other to manage environmental effects
- Simplified national direction and cohesive national policy direction under each Act
- A single combined plan per region with spatial, natural environment plans and land use plan chapters
- A prescribed framework for environmental limits
- Standardised planning provisions and performance standards, including nationally standardised zones
- Fewer activity categories and a higher threshold for determining affected persons
- Higher threshold for adverse effects managed through consenting / permits
- Shift away from consenting towards monitoring and enforcing national standards and consented activity
- A Planning Tribunal for minor dispute resolution
- Treaty of Waitangi settlements and Crown’s obligations upheld
Timeline:
- The Bills, presently named the Natural Environment Bill and the Planning Bill, are set to be released at the end of November 2025
- There will be a submission period (Taituarā will be working on a submission which will be shared publicly here)
- The Bills are intended to pass into law in 2026, subject to the parliamentary process
Latest Government updates
The Expert Advisory Group (EAG) report published in March 2025 provides the best foundation to understand what the Government proposes regarding the replacement of the RMA. This report continues to be referred to as “the blueprint”.
And here are cabinet decisions that help us understand how the EAG’s report is being refined and developed into two Bills that will replace the RMA.
MfE’s website is a good resource: Changes to resource management | Ministry for the Environment you can sign up to receive their updates here.
Latest Taituarā updates
9 October 2025 – Read about how Taituarā is working with the sector, the immediate challenges facing councils and what we are planning next.
July 2025 – Submission regarding the Consultation on the RMA National Direction
February 2025 – Resource Management (Consenting and Other System Changes) – Submission to the Environmental Select Committee
Resources
Check our Events and Learning Calendar for any upcoming webinars on this topic.
Check our Recorded Webinars page for discussions covering this topic.
