Submission on the Planning Bill and the Natural Environment Bill

At a high level, RMLA supports reform of New Zealand’s resource management system and considers the Planning Bill and the Natural Environment Bill introduce a number of positive concepts and processes. However, as currently drafted, the Bills contain structural, procedural, and substantive issues that risk undermining certainty, efficiency, and the achievement of high-quality land use planning, development and environmental outcomes. Our submission therefore recommends targeted and, in some cases, material amendments to ensure the new system is legally robust, workable, and enduring.