Resource Management Act 1991 overhaul

As many of you will know, the government has proposed changes to the 35-year-old Resource Management Act.

Rather than tweaking the existing legislation, the government has proposed an entirely new approach to development and environment protection with two new core pieces of legislation: the Planning Bill and the Natural Environment Bill.

Submissions to the select committee on both bills closed on Friday, 13 February.

The select committee is currently reviewing the submissions; the new legislation is expected to be enacted by mid-2026. 

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