RMLA congratulates Bal Matheson and Alan Webb on their appointments as King’s Counsel in 2025.

Both are highly respected leaders in the field of resource management law, recognised for their expertise and long-standing contributions to the profession.

The Government has announced proposed legislative changes aimed at making the earthquake-prone building (EPB) system more risk-based and proportionate, by focusing on higher seismic risk areas and high-risk buildings.

The Climate Change Response (Emissions Trading Scheme Forestry Conversions) Amendment Bill has been passed in Parliament.

The latest Energy Quarterly data release from MBIE shows a combination of record geothermal electricity generation and reduced energy demand in the April to June 2025 quarter kept overall renewable generation high.

The Environmental Defence Society has released its landmark report Pathway to Oceans Reform, setting out a practical programme to fix Aotearoa New Zealand’s broken oceans management system.

Read the Housing Minister Hon Chris Bishop’s address to The Property Conference in Queenstown.

The Parliamentary Commissioner has provided feedback to the Department of Conservation regarding their consultation on proposed content for a National Conservation Policy Statement.

The fast-track panel, considering the Waihi North application invited the PCE to comment on the project.

The Parliamentary Commissioner recommended that the panel pay particular attention to certain aspects of the project in its assessment, including the need for a robust and reliable assessment of both the benefits and costs (CBA) of the proposed project.

Another piece of red tape potentially curtailing the growth of the aquaculture industry has been cut with the passing of a bill that protects marine farmers from costly consent reviews.

The Commissioner has made a submission on the Local Government (System Improvements) Amendment Bill. He expresses concern that the proposed list of ‘core services’ for local authorities is too restrictive.

The Environmental Defence Society (EDS) has released its third and final report in a multi-year project examining the Government’s ‘phase 3’ resource management reforms: Replacing the Resource Management Act – Risks and Solutions.

MBIE has released the latest Energy in New Zealand report, providing a comprehensive overview of the country’s energy production and consumption in 2024.