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.

Serve Social: Play. Connect. Repeat.

Our mid-year Serve Social event was all about good vibes, shared laughter, and a bit of healthy competition — from ping pong battles to cornhole showdowns. Guests stayed well past the official close to keep the fun (and games) going. It was a fantastic reminder of the strength of our professional community when we step out from behind our desks.

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

The Government has made significant improvements to the freshwater farm plan system through the Resource Management (Consenting and Other System Changes) Amendment Act which has now passed into law.

The Government has moved a step closer to nearly tripling marine protection for the Hauraki Gulf/Tīkapa Moana that will help restore precious biodiversity while enabling New Zealanders to benefit for generations.

This submission offers feedback on the June 2025 Discussion Paper Going for Housing Growth Providing for urban development in the new resource management system. It draws from feedback from RMLA members who offer a range of expertise and experience across all fields of resource management in New Zealand.

Talks to develop an international treaty on plastic pollution did not reach a consensus as negotiations came to an end on 15 August 2025.

Draft changes to Auckland’s planning rules to better protect people and property from floods and other hazards, while enabling more homes near transport and jobs, will be considered by the Auckland Council’s Policy and Planning Committee on 21 August.

Funding for a solar farm at Te Karaka will keep critical services running during extreme weather events and provide long-term economic benefits for the community.  

The Government has agreed to change the building and construction sector’s liability settings from joint and several liability to proportionate liability and is making it easier for Building Consent Authorities (BCA) to voluntarily consolidate their functions.