Standardise and streamline: Government unveils RMA replacement bills to overcome 'culture of no'

Minister Responsible for RMA Reform Chris Bishop, no doubt considering the labyrinthine nature of the RMA, as he strokes a ball towards the boundary. (Image: NZME)

Oliver Lewis

Mon, 24 Mar 2025

The Government has unveiled new planning laws to replace the much-maligned Resource Management Act, with New Zealand set to transition to a more Japanese approach to zoning and with the enjoyment of property rights as the animating principle behind two new bills.Minister Responsible for RMA Reform Chris Bishop and his undersecretary in the portfolio, Act MP Simon Court, introduced the ideas behind the new legislation – to be called the Planning Act and the Natural Environment Act – on Monday.“The RMA is broken, and everyone kn...

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