The Government is undertaking a three-phase reform of the resource management system. The Resource Management Act 1991 (RMA) will be replaced by two new pieces of legislation:
- the Planning Act that establishes a framework for planning and regulating the use, development and enjoyment of land.
- the Natural Environment Act that establishes a framework for the use, protection and enhancement of the natural environment.
The new legislation aims to create a more efficient, certain, and balanced system for land use and environmental protection. The Government introduced the two Bills in Parliament in December 2025 and intends to pass them into law by mid-2026. The Government’s public consultation closed 13 February 2026.
The Environment Select Committee are hearing public submissions on the new replacement bills through out February and March 2026.
The committee is expected to report back to Parliament on the bills by the end of June 2026.
For more information on the reform, visit the Ministry for the Environment website.
