From RMA to Reform: Introducing the Planning and Natural Environment Bills

The Government has introduced two significant pieces of legislation: the Planning Bill and the Natural Environment Bill. These Bills represent the most substantial reform of New Zealand’s planning framework in more than 30 years and are intended to replace the Resource Management Act 1991 (RMA).

Why the Change?

The RMA has been widely criticised for being complex and costly, and for slowing down development. According to the Government, the current system has created uncertainty for councils, developers, and communities, while environmental outcomes have not improved as intended. The stated aim of the new legislation is to simplify planning processes, support housing and infrastructure development, and maintain environmental protections.

Independent analysis commissioned by the Government suggests the changes could deliver economic benefits and reduce compliance costs over time. However, these projections are based on modelling and will depend on how the new system is implemented. Officials estimate that up to 46% of consent and permit applications currently required under the RMA could be removed under the new system.[1] Based on recent volumes, this could mean between 15,000 and 22,000 resource consents are no longer needed each year.[2]

The Planning Bill

The Planning Bill is focused on land use and development by:

• Introducing National Planning Direction (NPD) to set goals, direct achievement, and resolve tensions between the two Bills.
• Establishing National Standards to implement NPD, ensure regulatory consistency, standardise zones and provisions, and set substantive requirements.
• Creating Regional Spatial Plans to integrate regimes, set 30-year strategic direction, and guide development within environmental limits.
• Introducing Land Use Plans to regulate and enable land use and development within districts (replacing district plans under the RMA).
• Creating Regional Spatial Plans and Land Use Plans that will form part of a ‘Combined Plan’ for each region.
• Directing Councils to prepare justification reports when departing from standardised national provisions. If there are bespoke provisions, submissions and appeals can be lodged.
• Retaining designations as a planning tool, secured through spatial planning or modified notice of requirement process, with high-level conditions and effect management via construction project plans; and
• Consolidating plans, as over 100 existing plans would be replaced with 17 regional combined plans.

The Natural Environment Bill

The Natural Environment Bill is focused on environmental management. Key proposals include:

• Introducing NPD and National Standards (same roles as under Planning Bill).
• Creating Natural Environment Plans to regulate and enable use and protection of natural resources (replacing regional plans under the RMA).
• Different ‘plans’ – Natural Environment Plans, alongside Regional Spatial Plans and Land Use Plans will form part of the Combined Plan for each region.
• Establishing environmental limits, similar to national bottom lines under the RMA on:

• • Human health limits in national standards.
  • Ecosystem health limits developed through natural environment plans.

• Introducing regulatory relief for specified topics:
  • Significant natural areas, Sites and Areas of Significance to Māori, and terrestrial indigenous biodiversity.
  • Relief may include development rights, reduced rates, or cash payments if rules significantly impact reasonable land use.
• Notification changes:
  • Public notification threshold: “significant” effects.
  • Same restrictions on submissions for non-qualifying residents.

Key Features of the Proposed New System

• Fewer Consents: Low-impact activities may no longer require consent, and consent conditions would need to be necessary and proportionate;
• National Consistency: Standardised zones and stronger national direction are proposed to replace the current patchwork of rules;
• Housing and Infrastructure Focus: Streamlined processes for housing and major projects;
• Spatial Planning: Each region would develop a 30-year spatial plan; and
• Transition Arrangements: Existing consents would be extended to around 2031 to avoid unnecessary costs during the transition.

Additional features include:

• Regulatory relief mechanisms for property owners where councils impose significant restrictions.
• A new Planning Tribunal to provide faster, lower-cost resolution of disputes.
• Centralised enforcement for greater consistency across regions.

What Happens Next?

The Bills have been introduced to Parliament and will go through the Select Committee process, where the public can make submissions. If passed, the new system is expected to come into effect in 2026. National policy statements and mandatory standards will follow to guide implementation.

The full implementation if these Bills is expected by 2029, with a two-year plan-making timeframe for regional combined plans

What Does This Mean for You?

If you are a developer, property owner, farmer or business owner, these changes could alter how projects are planned and consented. For councils and communities, the reforms may bring greater consistency, but will require significant adjustments to planning processes.

The full impact will become clearer as the legislation progresses and supporting regulations are developed. Public submissions will be an important part of shaping the final legislation

If you have any questions about how these changes may affect you, your business or development, please contact our Environmental Law team. We are here to help you navigate the new planning framework and understand what it means for your projects.

[1] A better planning system for a better New Zealand | National Party, Chris Bishop, 9 December 2025, www.national.org.nz/news/20251209-hon-chris-bishop-a-better-planning-system-for-a-better-new-zealand.

[2] A better planning system for a better New Zealand | National Party, Chris Bishop, 9 December 2025, www.national.org.nz/news/20251209-hon-chris-bishop-a-better-planning-system-for-a-better-new-zealand

This article is current as at the date of publication and is only intended to provide general comments about the law. Harkness Henry accepts no responsibility for reliance by any person or organisation on the content of the article. Please contact the author of the article if you require specific advice about how the law applies to you.