This package contains documents relating to the planning system transformation gateway reports.

The latest version of the Planning & Natural Environment Bills are now on the legislation website.

The Environmental Defence Society has slammed the government’s approach to protecting urban trees under the proposed Natural Environment Bill and Planning Bill, which will replace the Resource Management Act.

Adrift: What future does the Emissions Trading Scheme have? traces the evolution of the NZ ETS, explores significant risks emerging from its current design, and considers the choices facing decision-makers if the NZ ETS is to more effectively contribute to emissions reduction goals.

EDS says the Government’s first attempt to show how its new resource management system will work in practice has done little to allay their concerns that the reforms will result in worse outcomes for the environment.

The Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment has written to Housing and Planning Minister, Chris Bishop, urging the Government to consider how its new planning system can support climate-resilient urban development

The government will establish an independent economic umpire to ensure councils achieve competitive urban land markets through the new planning system.

The Climate Change Response (Tort Liability) Amendment Bill became law on 23 August 2026.

Feedback is invited on an illustrative National Policy Direction (NPD) for the new planning system.

The Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment welcomed the Environmental Reporting Amendment Bill, a long-awaited step toward strengthening New Zealand’s environmental reporting system.

The Government has announced a further package of proposed amendments to the Planning Bill and Natural Environment Bill as the legislation progresses towards the Committee of the Whole House stage.

New Zealand’s largest environment NGOs have called for the Government’s replacements for the Resource Management Act – the Natural Environment Bill and the Planning Bill – to be thrown out as they are fundamentally flawed.