On Friday 13 February 2026, Property Council submitted to the Environment Select Committee on the Planning Bill and Natural Environment Bill.
Why this matters to our members
The current RMA is no longer fit for purpose, as it has become overly slow and complex, and has often been subject to political shifts with changes in government. We need a system that provides certainty and enables development in the right place at the right time.
Our view
Property Council commends the Government for taking a major step toward a more outcomes-focused resource management system.
Property Council members support many aspects of the proposed framework, including stronger national direction, clearer plan hierarchies, consolidated plan architecture, higher effects thresholds, and enhanced accountability. These changes have the potential to significantly improve certainty, timeliness, and investment confidence.
However, the ultimate success of the reforms will rely on disciplined national guidance, practical transition arrangements, and meaningful engagement with the private sector, ensuring the reforms are durable and effective over time.