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

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
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...

More Policy

Rise in liquidations compounded by IRD crackdown
Economy

Rise in liquidations compounded by IRD crackdown

The IRD filed two-thirds of creditor applications in the March quarter.

Foreign investors show ‘increased interest’ in NZ
Policy

Foreign investors show ‘increased interest’ in NZ

Pension funds are reportedly cooling on the US. Could NZ stand to benefit?

The cost of over-regulated banking: $10b to $14.4b a year
Finance

The cost of over-regulated banking: $10b to $14.4b a year

Critics claim a huge annual cost from 30 years of regulatory creep.

Pattrick Smellie 16 Apr 2025
Fast-track panels not out of blocks yet
Policy

Fast-track panels not out of blocks yet

The first three projects to go through the process are still waiting on panels.

Oliver Lewis 10 Apr 2025