Govt Infrastructure and Renewable Energy Reforms Take Effect, Cutting RMA Red Tape

The Government says the reforms address long-standing regulatory barriers that have driven up costs, delayed projects, and constrained investment.

Major reforms designed to speed up infrastructure delivery and unlock renewable energy investment have come into force today, the Government announced.

RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop, Energy Minister Simon Watts, and Infrastructure and RMA Reform Under-Secretary Simon Court confirmed that new and updated National Direction instruments under the Resource Management Act (RMA) are now in effect—marking a significant shift toward a more enabling planning system.

The changes include:

• A new National Policy Statement for Infrastructure

• An updated National Policy Statement for Renewable Electricity Generation

• An updated National Policy Statement for Electricity Networks

The Government says the reforms address long-standing regulatory barriers that have driven up costs, delayed projects, and constrained investment.

“The RMA has become a direct contributor to New Zealand’s infrastructure deficit,” Bishop said. “It drives up costs, slows delivery, and has become a complicated nightmare for councils and developers alike.”

A 2022 Sapere study for the Infrastructure Commission found developers spend $1.29 billion a year on consenting, with costs rising 70% since 2014.

“Paperwork has taken priority over progress. We’re changing that,” Bishop said.

First-Ever National Policy Statement for Infrastructure

For the first time, New Zealand now has a National Policy Statement dedicated to infrastructure, setting clear direction for the development, operation, protection and upgrading of essential assets nationwide.

“It is staggering that despite infrastructure’s importance to the economy, New Zealand has never had an NPS for Infrastructure—until now,” Bishop said.

The new policy formally recognises infrastructure as critical to economic growth, resilience, climate adaptation and long-term national wellbeing, helping ensure projects are assessed with appropriate weight and consistency.

“These changes allow New Zealanders to see the benefits of a simpler, more enabling planning system now, rather than waiting for the full replacement of the RMA,” Bishop said. “They were extensively consulted on last year.”

Restoring Proportionality to Planning Decisions

Under-Secretary Simon Court said the lack of national direction had left infrastructure projects “suffocated” by regulatory complexity.

“Infrastructure has been consistently cut off at the knees,” Court said. “Roads, pipes and power lines are essential—and the new NPS restores proportionality and clarity for councils, communities and investors.”

Cutting Delays for Renewable Energy Projects

Energy Minister Simon Watts said the reforms will significantly reduce red tape for renewable electricity generation and electricity networks, accelerating the transition to a clean energy system.

“To illustrate how broken the system has become: the Te Apiti windfarm took 77 days to consent in 2003, with 20 conditions. The Mill Creek windfarm took 1,437 days in 2014, with 90 conditions. That’s unacceptable,” Watts said.

The strengthened Renewable Electricity Generation NPS makes it easier to consent projects—including small-scale and community-led renewables—while the updated Electricity Networks NPS now covers both transmission and distribution, providing clearer direction for new investments, routine upgrades and maintenance.

“New Zealand’s future is powered by renewable electricity,” Watts said. “Electrification will supercharge our economy, tackle climate change and strengthen energy security. The changes taking effect today bring us closer to that future.”

Foundation for the New Planning System

The Government says the new and amended National Policy Statements form the first tranche of revised National Direction under the forthcoming planning system, designed to integrate seamlessly into the RMA replacement framework.

Together, the reforms are intended to lower costs, reduce delays, and give investors confidence—unlocking infrastructure and renewable energy projects essential to New Zealand’s growth and resilience.