The Government is progressing a new development levies system to improve infrastructure funding for housing and urban growth across New Zealand, with several changes confirmed following consultation with councils and developers. 

The Water Services Authority - Taumata Arowa has begun consulting on two further national environmental performance wastewater standards addressing odour and metals discharged to water.

The Government has introduced a further two amended national direction instruments to add to twelve new and amended instruments approved since December 2025. These instruments continue to deliver the aim of making it easier for councils to plan and deliver infrastructure, and to support growth in the primary sector.

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

The Government will strengthen infrastructure funding settings to ensure the costs of growth from incoming Fast-track developments can be recovered.

RMLA’s Lauren Wallace and Kate Stubbing shared some initial thoughts on the Environment Select Committee recommendations and what these may mean in practice for transitional consenting. In short, the session was a useful reminder that, while a new planning system is on the horizon, RMA-based consenting isn't going anywhere just yet.

This edition comes at an important point in the transition to New Zealand’s new planning system. Work is underway to build a more effective, nationally consistent system that supports housing and infrastructure, while protecting what matters to New Zealanders – including our natural environment.

The Government has committed funding to back councils that support housing growth.

Budget 2026 allocates $400 million over four years through a tagged contingency for the new Incentives for Growth Fund.