30 May 2025
Councils across the country are considering and preparing for a major implementation task, following the Government’s release of proposed reforms to national direction under the Resource Management Act 1991 (RMA).
The proposed changes span 12 existing instruments and introduce four new ones, making this the most wide-ranging reset of national direction since the RMA was enacted. The changes will have significant implications for how land, water, biodiversity and infrastructure are managed.
Speaking for the regional councils and unitary authorities of NZ, Greater Wellington Chair Daran Ponter said national direction drives local planning and consent decisions that are central to our environment and economy.
“Regional and unitary councils recognise the pressures on the current system and like central government, want to help solve the housing shortage, support our world-leading primary producers, enable critical infrastructure delivery, and achieve freshwater aspirations.
“We have a lot to offer to ensure national direction is implemented in an efficient and effective way that achieves good outcomes for all parts of New Zealand, and we warmly welcome Ministers and officials to visit councils and see firsthand the scale, complexity, and success of the work being done across the country,” said Chair Ponter.
Having governed through the implementation of four National Policy Statements for Freshwater Management in his time as Chair of Bay of Plenty Regional Council, Doug Leeder emphasised that implementing national direction is a major undertaking that involves work with communities, industry, and mana whenua.
“Councils contend with the challenge also faced by iwi and hapū, industry, and communities that the National Policy Statement for Freshwater Management has changed every three years since it has been introduced.
“When policy resets every three years, it imposes significant costs on councils and communities, creates uncertainty for farmers and businesses, and makes it harder to achieve the long-term outcomes we all want.
“We need to work towards something more enduring,” said Chair Leeder.
Regional government has worked constructively with successive governments to deliver their national direction, Chair Ponter said they’re ready to partner and do so again.
“We have appreciated efforts by Ministers during their review to minimise the cost of implementation to ratepayers.
“We stand ready to provide additional advice on this and other matters from our experience enabling water storage, supporting flexible freshwater farm plans, and collectively delivering more than $48 million each year into catchment and biodiversity restoration on the ground,” said Chair Ponter.
Looking ahead, Te Uru Kahika welcomes the opportunity to engage constructively with the Government on the new direction.
The Government’s National Direction Package consultation is open until 27 July 2025.