Government announces major replacement for the Resource Management Act

Tuesday 9 December 2025 · 7 outlets · 9 reports · updated Tue 9 Dec 2025, 4:30pm

In this story Labour Party, Chris Bishop

The Government has unveiled draft legislation to replace the Resource Management Act with a Planning Act and a Natural Environment Act. The reforms aim to streamline development and may require councils to compensate landowners for significant restrictions. The new system is intended to become active by 2029.

How they headlined it

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1. The Press via The PostTue 9 Dec 2025, 1:00pm

   Government says it will end ‘culture of no’ with sweeping RMA reforms (opens in new tab)

2. 1NewsTue 9 Dec 2025, 1:01pm

   Govt reveals big consenting reforms, 'once-in-a-generation shift' (opens in new tab)

3. NZ HeraldTue 9 Dec 2025, 1:05pm

   ‘Single largest economic reform in a generation’ - Government bins RMA, promises new planning laws will slash consents, add $3b a year to economy (opens in new tab)

4. RNZTue 9 Dec 2025, 1:09pm

   Landowners to get more compensation from councils as major RMA overhaul revealed (opens in new tab)

   • Five things you need to know about the RMA replacements (opens in new tab) Tue 9 Dec 2025, 3:37pm
5. Otago Daily TimesTue 9 Dec 2025, 1:14pm

   Major changes in store as govt reveals RMA replacement (opens in new tab)

   • Five things to know about the proposed RMA replacements (opens in new tab) Tue 9 Dec 2025, 3:49pm
6. NewsroomTue 9 Dec 2025, 3:07pm

   Major planning overhaul puts private property rights first (opens in new tab)

7. The PostTue 9 Dec 2025, 4:30pm

   RMA shake-up to impact local government (opens in new tab)