On Tuesday this week, the Government released proposed bills to replace the Resource Management Act 1991. Reform of our planning and resource management law has been signalled for some time, and these bills mark the next step in legislative reform.

Links to the Bills:

Planning Bill 235-1 (2025), Government Bill – New Zealand Legislation

Natural Environment Bill 234-1 (2025), Government Bill – New Zealand Legislation

The bills are expected to have their first reading before Christmas, with the Environment Select Committee hearing submissions in the New Year. Submission closing dates are yet to be announced, but are likely to be mid-February 2026. The Government intends for the new legislation to be enacted by mid-2026.

The bills have implications for the landscape and our profession. Key sections members should review include:

The Explanatory Note

Planning Bill 235-1 (2025), Government Bill Explanatory note – New Zealand Legislation

11 Goals

Planning Bill 235-1 (2025), Government Bill – New Zealand Legislation

Spatial Planning

Planning Bill 235-1 (2025), Government Bill Schedule 2 Spatial plans – New Zealand Legislation

Part 2, Clause 14 Effects Outside the Scope of this Act:

Planning Bill 235-1 (2025), Government Bill 14 Effects outside the scope of this Act – New Zealand Legislation

Submission preparation

The Tuia Pito Ora Environmental Legislation working group will ultimately prepare a submission on behalf the Institute. We also encourage members to engage with the Institute and their local MPs. All feedback is welcome. Your insights will help shape a comprehensive and informed response on behalf of the profession. Please submit any thoughts to assist with our submission by emailing the working group via events@nzila.co.nz.

Save the date 

In person hui: Given the extremely short timeframe for us to prepare a submission and in order to provide members with an opportunity to engage together, we will be holding an in-person hui in Wellington on 20 January 2026 from 9.30am - 5.00pm. We hope that you can join us at this session (further details to follow over the next few days).