Planning/Natural Environment Bills - latest versions
The latest version of the Planning & Natural Environment Bills are now on the legislation website.
Urban tree protections face the axe in new resource management system - EDS
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.
Further Amendment Papers released for Natural Environment and Planning Bills
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.
Environment NGOs call for dumping of the Government’s RMA replacement bills
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.
New Natural Environment and Planning amendment papers released
New amendment papers for the Natural Environment and Planning Bills have been released this week.
Natural Environment & Planning Bill amendment papers added
Amendment papers have been added to both the Natural Environment & Planning Bills this week.
How regulatory relief could play out in Auckland – and it’s a bureaucratic and litigious hot mess
This opinion piece from Dr Greg Severinsen, reform director with the Environmental Defence Society gives a sobering assessment of how the government’s proposed regulatory relief framework could play out in Auckland.
Getting ready for transitional consenting under the proposed Planning Act
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.
EDS - Select Committee reports back on RMA replacement bills – and it’s shocking
Parliament’s Environment Select Committee has today released its report on the Natural Environment Bill and Planning Bill. Together, the Bills will replace the Resource Management Act 1991 (RMA).
Environment Select Committee Bills released
The Environment Select Committee have released their Reports on the Natural Environment Bill and the Planning Bill.
Natural Environment Bill - select committee report delayed
The Natural Environment Bill was introduced on December 9, 2025 with the aim of managing impacts from the use of natural resources and protect the environment from harm.