This research brings together evidence on the factors that shape the cost and affordability of infrastructure. It highlights where there is opportunity to influence costs to help us make better choices and get more from our infrastructure investment.

The Government has released the independent Crown Review Team’s final report into the failure of the Moa Point Wastewater Treatment Plant and the flooding event of 4 February 2026.

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.