THURSDAY 1 OCTOBER 2026
The RMA is on the way out – the Planning Act and Natural Environment Act are here
On 30 September 2026, the Planning Bill and Natural Environment Bill were enacted. 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.
This is a milestone moment for Property Council, following a long campaign both individually and as part of the Resource Reform New Zealand, an alliance comprising Property Council New Zealand, the Employers and Manufacturers Association (EMA), the Environmental Defence Society (EDS), BusinessNZ and Infrastructure New Zealand that collectively campaigned for a comprehensive overhaul of the country’s resource management laws. It was our joint commissioning of a report evaluating the environmental outcomes of the RMA, which found that no one was being well-served by the current Act, that provided the impetus for the RMA reform movement.
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 priorities 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, which will provide greater certainty and fewer restrictions for all property owners.
What’s next?
The transitional consenting period will begin on Wednesday 30 October 2026, one month from the date of Royal Assent (30 September). This means some features of the new system will kick in, including ‘out of scope effects’ namely:
- internal building layouts
- external building layouts without effects beyond site boundaries (e.g. glazing, balconies, outdoor living space, residential unit size, size of landscaped areas),
- negative effects on trade competition
- effects on retail distribution
- any lack of demand for a project
- financial viability of a project
- type of residents to be housed in a new development
- views from private property
Such effects will no longer trigger consent applications or be considered in consenting decisions.
In all other cases, existing Resource Management Act 1991 plans, consents and processes will continue while the new system is developed and implemented.
To support applicants, consent holders, councils and interested parties, the Ministry of Cities, Environments, Regions and Transport (MCERT) has launched a new website: https://www.planning.govt.nz/. The website provides the latest information about the new system, including guidance on transitional arrangements.
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.
