Government progresses plan changes to enable growth for New Plymouth

Targeted changes to New Plymouth’s District Plan will make it easier for homeowners and developers to build, alter homes, and make better use of land, while removing unnecessary consenting requirements and other planning barriers to growth.

The changes follow an investigation under section 360I of the Resource Management Act 1991 (RMA), including consultation with affected parties and the public, and consideration of feedback received. The investigation was initiated in February 2026 following a request from the Mayor of New Plymouth.

The New Plymouth District Council provided a formal response to the investigation report on 7 August 2026.

The Government will now progress regulations being drafted before returning to Cabinet with draft regulations for approval.

Notes

• The Resource Management Act 1991 (the RMA) allows the Minister Responsible for RMA Reform to modify or remove plan provisions that are negatively affecting economic growth, development capacity or employment.

• Twenty submissions were received during consultation. Fifty per cent supported the amendments, 40 per cent opposed them, and 10 per cent were partially supportive and partially opposed.

• The Government intends to implement the changes through regulations under sections 360I to 360O of the RMA.