Planning Bill
Proposed Act of Parliament in New Zealand
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The Planning Bill is one of two proposed Acts of Parliament in New Zealand, along with the Natural Environment Bill, that is intended to replace the Resource Management Act 1991, which governs the management of natural resources such as land, air and water.[1] The two companion bills passed their first reading on 16 December 2025 and were referred to the New Zealand Parliament's environment select committee.[2]
| Planning Bill | |
|---|---|
| |
| New Zealand Parliament[1] | |
| Legislative history | |
| Introduced by | Chris Bishop[1] |
| Committee responsible | Environment Select Committee[1] |
| First reading | 9 December 2025[1] |
| Status: Pending — before | |
Background
In 2020, the Randerson report recommended that the New Zealand Government repeal and replace the Resource Management Act 1991, which governs the management of natural resources.[3] In February 2021, the Sixth Labour Government announced that it would introduce three new replacement laws: the Natural and Built Environment Act 2023 (NBA), the Spatial Planning Act 2023 (SPA), and the Climate Change Adaptation Bill (CAA).[4] Prior to the dissolution of the 53rd New Zealand Parliament before the 2023 New Zealand general election, Parliament managed to pass the NBA and SPA bills into law on 15 August 2023.[5][6]
On 19 December 2023, the NBA and SPA laws were repealed by the Sixth National Government, which indicated that it would introduce its own replacement laws.[7] On 20 September 2024, RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop announced that the Government would introduce two new laws to replace the Resource Management Act 1991. One law would focus on managing the environmental effects of development activities while the second would enable urban development and infrastructure.[8] On 24 March 2025, Bishop and Parliamentary Under-Secretary for the Minister for Infrastructure and RMA reform Simon Court announced details about the new legislative framework that would replace the RMA system. This included a new Planning Bill focusing on land use and development and a Natural Environment Bill focusing on the use, protection and enhancement of the natural environment. The new RMA-replacement system would focus on the economic concept of externalities and property rights while ensuring environmental protections and safeguards.[9]
Draft provisions
Purpose and goals
The Planning Bill's purpose is to establish a framework for planning and regulating the use, development and enjoyment of land. It has provisions recognising the New Zealand Crown's Treaty of Waitangi obligations by requiring the central Government and local authorities to consult with Māori iwi (tribes) and customary marine title groups regarding the implementation of regional spatial plans and land use plans. The Planning Bill also requires the Crown to enter into agreements to uphold Treaty of Waitangi claims and settlements.[10]
Key foundations of the Planning Bill include ensuring that land use does not unreasonably affect others; supports economic growth by ensuring land use and development; planning and providing for necessary infrastructure for land development; maintaining public access to coastal areas, lakes, rivers, wetlands and other significant land sites; and safeguarding Māori interests in the development of natural instruments, spatial planning and land use plans.[10]
Key instruments and criteria
Key instruments of the Planning Bill include the national policy direction, national standards, spatial plans and land use plans. The Bill outlines their hierarchy and roles in relation to the companion Natural Environment Bill.[10] The Bill's scope includes the management of natural resources with high natural characters, outstanding natural landscapes and features, historically significant sites, sites significant to Māori and the effects of natural hazards.[10]
The Planning Bill outlines the criteria for land use including building structures and mitigating adverse effects.[10] The Bill also outlines the criteria and process for applying for consents under the Planning Act including navigation and customary marine titles.[10] It also outlines the hearing and decision-making process for consents.[10]
Powers and responsibilities
The Planning Bill also outlines the functions, powers and responsibilities of central and local government bodies including keeping records about iwi and hapu (clans).[10] It would also require chief executives to prepare and maintain a system performance framework.[10] The Bill also outlines the framework for local authorities, the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) and Environment Court to enforce the provisions of the Bill. It also outlines the framework for offences against the Planning Bill and the inspection powers of relevant authorities.[10]
The Planning and Natural Environment Bills require local authorities to hold hearings into the preparation of first land use plans and the regional natural environment plan.[10] The Planning Bill also outlines the transition process for the phasing out of the Resource Management Act 1991.[10] The Bill also has provisions for regulatory relief in the event that a plan has a significant impact on the use of land.[10]
The Bill also outlines the criteria for convening independent hearing panels, the spatial planning process, the construction projects, consent applications, survey plans, esplanade reserves and strips, compensation, and reclamation plans.[10] It also outlines the enforcement powers of the EPA and the criteria for financial assurances by central and local government entities.[10] The Planning Bill also outlines the framework, composition, powers and procedures of the Environment Court and Planning Tribunal.[10]
Miscellaneous
The Planning Bill also outlines amendments to the Resource Management Act 1991 and other relevant legislation including the Fast-track Approvals Act 2024.[10]
Legislative passage
Introduction and first reading
On 9 December 2025, the Government introduced both the Planning and Natural Environment Bills into Parliament, with the goal of passing them into law in late 2026. These two laws are expected to come into effect in 2029. Key policies have included reducing the over 100 policy statements and plans to 17 Regional Combined plans, requiring local councils to compensate property owners when their property rights are affected by regulation, creating a new framework of "national instruments" that would include iwi input and environmental safeguards, and standardising zoning rules.[11][12] On 16 December, the Planning and Natural Environment Bills passed their first readings and were referred to the Environment select committee. Labour joined the National, ACT and NZ First parties in supporting its passage to the select committee level, while the Green and Māori parties opposed the proposed bills.[2]
Select committee stage
Public submissions on the Planning and Natural Environment Bills concluded on 13 February 2026.[13] Kaupapa Māori environmental expert and Poipoia consultancy founder Tina Porou and law lecturer Luke Fitzmaurice-Brown expressed concern that the new RMA replacement bills would weaken Treaty of Waitangi protections, environmental safeguards and limit the ability of Māori iwi and hapu to participate in decisions affecting environmental management under the pretext of eliminating red tape.[13]