Resource Management Act (RMA) reform
The Government is proposing to replace the Resource Management Act with two new laws to change how planning and environmental decisions are made. The reforms aim to simplify planning rules, combine local and regional plans, and increase national direction. The impacts on local decision-making, environmental outcomes and public participation are still being worked through.
Central government is changing how land use, development, and the natural environment are planned and managed in Aotearoa New Zealand.
The Resource Management Act (RMA) will be replaced with two new laws: the Natural Environment Bill and the Planning Bill.
Together, these new laws aim to create a planning system that is simpler, more consistent, and easier for communities, developers, and councils to use.
At Horowhenua District Council, we’re reviewing these proposed changes, engaging with the reform process, and considering what they could mean for our district.
What’s changing
Under the new system:
- District and regional plans will be combined into a single regional plan for each region
- These plans will provide clear direction on:
- Land use and development
- Infrastructure
- Environmental protection
There will be one integrated plan per region, comprised of a regional spatial plan, a natural environment plan, and local land use plans, setting out what can happen where and under what conditions.
The intention is to reduce duplication, increase consistency, and make planning rules easier to understand.
What this means for you
More land uses and activities will become permitted, meaning fewer resource consents and more ‘as of right’ development.
For most people, this is likely to mean:
- Less paperwork
- Lower costs
- Faster decisions for small-scale building or minor land-use changes
At the same time, there may be fewer opportunities to provide feedback on some smaller activities, including what neighbours can do on their property.
More plan content will be standardised at the national level, which will make understanding plan rules easier but will provide less opportunity for local communities to set rules that suit their values and preferences.
What it means for Council
If the reforms proceed as proposed:
- Councils will work together as a region to prepare a regional spatial plan and local land use plans.
- Plan content will be heavily guided by national standards and direction.
- More activities being permitted means councils are likely to process fewer resource consent applications.
We’re working to understand the operational, resourcing, and cost implications so we can plan ahead and continue to deliver reliable services.
Having Your Say
People will still be able to have a say on regional plans and major proposals, but public notification rules will change.
In general:
- Activities with more than minor effects on the wider environment be publicly notified, activities with more than minor effects on specific parties (like neighbours) will be notified only to those identified as affected.
- Straightforward projects are less likely to require notification.
This approach is intended to reduce delays while keeping public input for proposals with wider impacts.
What stage is this at
Submissions on the proposed reforms have now closed. More information about the legislation is available on the New Zealand Parliament website.
You can read Council’s submission on the Bill here:
Horowhenua District Council - Submission on the Planning Bill and Natural Environment Bill(PDF, 304KB)
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