RMA is on the way out – the Planning Bill and Natural Environments Bill have passed
On 23 September 2026, the Planning Bill and Natural Environment Bill passed their third readings. This milestone ushers in a new era of regional-level long-term planning, land-use consenting and environmental permits for New Zealand’s land and resources.
The property sector warmly welcomes the shift towards greater standardisation of planning rules and consenting processes, fewer regional and district plans, and higher thresholds for assessing and addressing effects of development. The introduction of a Planning Tribunal, cohesive digitised planning platforms and regulatory relief are positive system-wide changes.
The new legislation signals the end of a challenging period for our sector, characterised by increasing project costs and delays due to a resource management system that became more complex and less consistent over the past 35 years. Legislative change provides the opportunity for improvement and efficiency. However, success in its roll out depends on strong collaboration and communication between central government, local government, our sector and other key players over the coming months and years as direction, standards and plans are developed.
It’s fantastic to see another of Property Council’s long-standing advocacy priority become law. Our Resource Management System Taskforce’s input and expertise directly shaped Property Council’s positions and submissions. Thank you to everyone who has contributed to this workstream through workshops, feedback and submissions over the years. Your input has played a key role in achieving this outcome that will provide greater certainty and fewer restrictions for all property owners.
What’s next?
The transitional consenting period will begin one month from Royal Assent (expected Monday 28 September). This means some features of the new system will kick in, including ‘out of scope effects’ such as internal building layouts and external building layouts without effects beyond site boundaries. These will no longer trigger consent applications or be considered in resource consent decisions.
In all other cases, existing Resource Management Act 1991 (RMA) plans, consents and processes will continue while the new system is developed and implemented. The Ministry of Cities, Environments, Regions and Transport (MCERT) is preparing transition guidance that will be available online from next week.
Public consultation on the illustrative National Policy Direction (the regulations needed to ensure legislative goals can be translated into council plans) closes on 16 October. We are currently preparing feedback to MCERT.
Join our Resource Management System Taskforce
Author | Samantha Lay Yee
Samantha brings a sharp policy mind and deep understanding of urban development to her role as Senior Advocacy Advisor. With a Master of Laws specialising in environmental law, she has built her career at the intersection of government, regulation and city-shaping policy.
Prior to joining Property Council, Samantha held a senior advisory role at Kāinga Ora where she led a complex investment management work programme. She also brings policy experience from the Ministry for the Environment and the Department of Internal Affairs. In those roles, she developed regulatory advice for Ministers and contributed to nationally significant urban development reforms. Her experience spans cross-agency collaboration, stakeholder engagement and translating complex policy into clear, actionable insights.
Analytical, thoughtful and highly respected, Samantha combines strategic thinking with a practical approach – helping shape policy settings that enable better outcomes for New Zealand’s built environment.
