Litigation boom: warning RMA reforms must be precise

Litigation boom: warning RMA reforms must be precise
Environment minister David Parker's first tentative legislative steps to reform the RMA gets a 'needs improvement' grading from select committee. (Image: Getty)
Ian Llewellyn
The government’s first cut at reforming resource management law needs significant changes and greater clarity if it wants to avoid years of litigation to decide what the law means and unintended consequences, a parliamentary select committee has said.The environment committee has reported back its views on a draft exposure of the Natural and Built Environments Bill. This will be one of three bills that will eventually replace the Resource Management Act (RMA).Submitters on the draft were generally supportive of the need for change, but th...

More Law & Regulation

Big banks eye warnings on legacy Open Banking technology
Finance

Big banks eye warnings on legacy Open Banking technology

Their interest comes with dawn of API-led Open Banking just weeks away. 

Congestion charge law draws political and commercial contest
Infrastructure

Congestion charge law draws political and commercial contest

A contest is on for contracts worth hundreds of millions of dollars.

Ian Llewellyn 18 Nov 2025
Upton warns fast-track changes could predetermine approvals
Law & Regulation

Upton warns fast-track changes could predetermine approvals

Changes would give ministers indirect but powerful abilities.

Ian Llewellyn 18 Nov 2025
EA flags cost-shifting in connection charges
Infrastructure

EA flags cost-shifting in connection charges

The electricity regulator links connection charges to cost-shifting onto new customers. 

Ian Llewellyn 17 Nov 2025