Govt Sets Fair Transition Measures as NZ Shifts to New Planning System by 2031

To avoid disruption, Bishop confirmed that legislation will be introduced and passed under urgency in the coming days to automatically extend the expiry dates of existing consents.

The Government has announced a series of measures to ensure a smooth, fair and orderly transition from the Resource Management Act 1991 (RMA) to New Zealand’s new planning and environmental management framework. RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop and Under-Secretary Simon Court say the steps will provide certainty for consent holders, councils, and communities during the changeover to a modernised, more efficient system.

Urgent Legislation to Extend Existing Consents

To avoid disruption, Bishop confirmed that legislation will be introduced and passed under urgency in the coming days to automatically extend the expiry dates of existing consents. This will prevent thousands of consent holders from being forced into expensive and unnecessary renewal processes while the RMA is being replaced.

For more than 30 years, Bishop said, the RMA has hindered development across key sectors:

• Slowing housing delivery

• Delaying infrastructure projects

• Creating costly complexity for councils and businesses

• Frustrating farmers and agribusinesses

He said the new planning system will “cut red tape, unlock growth and improve environmental outcomes,” and transitional measures will protect people from uncertainty during the shift.

What the Transition Will Look Like

Under the proposed Planning Bill and Natural Environment Bill, the transition from the RMA will be guided by several key features:

1. Extension of Existing Consents

• All existing consents will receive an extension to two years beyond the end of the transition period.

• With current timelines, most consents will be extended to around 2031.

• Thousands of consents due to expire in the coming year will also be temporarily extended to 31 December 2027 to avoid costly replacement processes.

Bishop said it would be unfair to force renewal of consents when the Government has already committed to extending them post-reform. The urgent legislation ensures consistency and fairness.

2. Transitional RMA Consent Process

Consent applications during the transition period will still operate under a modified RMA, which includes:

• Limits on when public notification is required

• Narrower consideration of environmental effects

• Introduction of core national standards, including consent-free activity pathways

• Immediate application of procedural principles such as proportionality

These measures will streamline consenting and give applicants clearer expectations while the new system is phased in.

Ensuring Confidence and Reducing Waste

Under-Secretary Simon Court said the temporary extensions mean people can continue operating with confidence while the full replacement system is established.

He explained that aligning expiring consents with the transition period:

• Places all consent holders on an equal footing

• Prevents unnecessary expenditure on short-term renewals

• Provides breathing space for councils and applicants to prepare for the new system

• Mirrors the Government’s earlier plan stop mechanism, which paused plan-making to prevent wasted effort ahead of reform

Importantly, the reforms preserve choice: applicants may still pursue replacement consents under the existing RMA framework if they prefer. Court said many may opt for new consents under the transitional rules to secure long-term operational certainty.

“This avoids wasted time, money, and effort—resources that are better spent preparing for a modern planning system designed to deliver growth, more housing, and stronger environmental outcomes,” Court said.