New planning laws receive Royal assent

The Planning Act and Natural Environment Act have received Royal assent and are now law, marking the beginning of New Zealand’s transition to a new and fundamentally different planning system, RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop and Parliamentary Under-Secretary Simon Court say. “The replacement of the Resource Management Act 1991 represents a significant shift in fixing the basics of how New Zealand manages its land and environment and plans for future development, unlocking economic growth,” Mr Bishop says. “With Royal assent, the two Acts now provide the legal foundation for a planning system that will make it easier to build new homes and infrastructure, develop renewable energy and produce the food and fibre the country needs, while providing more effective environmental management and greater certainty for communities, councils, businesses and investors.” Mr Court says a fundamental change under the new system is that more of the big decisions will be made upfront. “National policy direction, nationally consistent standards and long-term regional spatial planning will give much greater clarity about where and how New Zealand grows, what needs to be protected and what rules peopl