Reforms have been announced which will modernise and strengthen Fish & Game New Zealand,improve the national management of hunting and fishing resources and advocacy, while maintaining local control over local fishing and hunting rules.

The Minister Responsible for RMA Reform, Chris Bishop, has released his decisions on 17 recommendations referred to him by Christchurch City Council on its Intensification Planning Instrument (Plan Change 14).

It’s been four months since the Fast-track Approvals system opened for business and the Government says statistics show strong progress toward making it quicker and easier to build the projects New Zealand needs for economic growth.

Progress is being made on the exploration of supercritical geothermal as a potential energy source, with a governance group established and potential drilling sites being identified.

This release from MfE, contains the interim regulatory impact statements for packages 1-3.

The newly adopted Auckland Council policy ensures the cost of growth-related infrastructure is fairly shared between developers and ratepayers.

Infrastructure New Zealand is welcoming the release of consultation on the first National Policy Statement for Infrastructure and the strengthening of guidance for local government as to how they can better integrate infrastructure into consenting and planning processes.

The Commissioner has made a submission to the Ministry for the Environment on proposed changes to New Zealand’s waste legislation.

The Government is strengthening the market governance of New Zealand’s Emissions Trading Scheme.

The Building and Construction (Small Standalone Dwellings) Bill has received its first reading in Parliament.

The Environmental Protection Authority (EPA), the administrating agency of the Fast-Track Approvals Act, has accepted the Environmental Defence Society’s (EDS) contention that it has not been lawfully applying the Act.