RMA replacement now law as local government turns to implementation

The Planning Act and Natural Environment Act are now law, marking a major milestone in replacing the Resource Management Act as councils turn their attention to implementation.

Te Uru Kahika Resource Management Reform Spokesperson and Canterbury Regional Council Chair Dr Deon Swiggs said councils have long supported the need for reform.

“The Resource Management Act has had its time. Regional and unitary councils have long supported the goal of a more efficient and effective system that works better for communities, regional economies and the environment.”

“We’ll still be working with the RMA as we transition to the new system under the Planning and Natural Environment Acts.

“The challenge now is to manage the transition well. For the next few years, councils will need to keep the existing RMA system running while building the new one. That’s where the cost risk sits for ratepayers.

“The biggest thing Government can do to keep those costs down is get the sequencing right. If national direction, standards and digital tools arrive in a clear order and on time, councils can build once. If they don’t, communities risk paying twice.

“We’re keen to work through that with Government early, including how the transition is resourced,” said Chair Swiggs.

Te Uru Kahika welcomed the letter from Minister Responsible for RMA Reform Hon Chris Bishop which recognised the central role regional councils will play through transition and a commitment that MCERT will work alongside councils and sector partners on implementation. The regional sector is keen to build on work already underway, particularly around sequencing, capability and resourcing, and shared data and digital foundations that avoid duplication and unnecessary rework.

Transition will happen in stages, with existing RMA plans, consents and processes continuing while national instruments, regional spatial plans, land-use and natural-environment plans, digital tools and data systems are developed. The full system is intended to be operating by 2030.

The new Acts retain a substantial regional role, with core natural resource management, environmental monitoring and planning functions continuing to be delivered at a regional scale.

Te Uru Kahika Resource Management Reform Sponsor and Tasman District Council Mayor Tim King said implementation will require councils and central government to work together.

“Passing the Acts settles a lot of the ‘what’, but there is still plenty of ‘how’ to work through.

“No one part of government can implement this in isolation. Regional councils, territorial authorities and unitary councils all have important roles, alongside central government, as the new system takes shape.

“National policy direction, standards, digital tools and the practical implementation decisions that follow will have a huge bearing on whether the system is simpler, cheaper, and delivers better outcomes on the ground.

“One of the biggest changes for communities will be where and when they have their say. More decisions about growth, infrastructure and environmental protection will be shaped upfront through national direction and regional planning, rather than consent by consent.

“That means a big job explaining what is decided nationally, what can still be shaped locally, and when people should get involved. Getting that right will be crucial if these plans are to reflect the communities they serve.

“The science, data, knowledge and relationships across local government will also be critical to the new system. We need to protect that capability while making the most of opportunities to work differently and reduce unnecessary duplication,” said Mayor King.

Te Uru Kahika says resource management and wider local government reform must be managed as a connected transition, so structural change does not disrupt implementation or lose the people, knowledge and systems needed to make the new system work.

The regional sector will continue working constructively with Government on remaining detail, including environmental limits, integration between the Acts and ensuring regulatory relief provisions are workable. Treaty settlement obligations and strong relationships with iwi and hapū will also remain important through transition.

Regional and unitary councils will continue to carry major responsibilities for managing water, the coast, biodiversity, natural hazards, environmental monitoring and compliance under the new system. They also deliver essential regional services communities rely on every day, including emergency management, flood resilience, pest control, and regional transport. Protecting the continuity of those functions will be critical.