Our natural resources are looked after under the Resource Management Act 1991 (RMA) which sets out how we use our land and allow for infrastructure, while also protecting our environment.

The Government are repealing the RMA and replacing it with three new pieces of legislation:

  • Natural and Built Environments Act (NBA)
  • Strategic Planning Act (SPA)
  • Climate Adaptation Act (CAA)

Read more about Government’s reform here.

Natural and Built​ Environments Act (NBA)

As the main replacement for the RMA, the NBA aims to protect and restore the environment while better enabling development.

The NBA is the first cab off the rank and has gone through its first public consultation process on the first draft or "exposure draft" which outlined the key aspects on the Act.

Council submitted on the draft in August 2021 and made key points related to:

  • how to reconcile competing objectives/outcomes
  • clarification of definitions and unclear drafting.
  • the role of local government
  • allowing specific plans for Tier 1 authorities and more focus on the built environment
  • integration of NBA plans with other local government work programmes.

The Select Committee released its report on 1 November 2021 and recommended that the Government proceed with the development of the Bill with proposed redrafting of certain provisions in a number of important areas.

The NBA was introduced into Parliament on 15 November 2022. Council submitted on this draft raising key points related to:

  • the roles, functions and responsibilities of Council are impossible to perform
  • the roles, functions and responsibilities of Council are impossible to perform
  • lack of integration with other sector reforms
  • complexity and cost
  • represents a change but not an improvement. 

Here's Council's submissions: 

Strategic Planning Act (SPA)

The SPA will require the development of long-term regional spatial strategies to help with more coordinated decision making. It will focus on the big issues and opportunities facing each region and will be prepared by a regional planning committee.

The SPA was introduced into Parliament on 15 November 2022. Council submitted on this draft raising key points related to:

  • the boundaries for regional spatial plans
  • lack of integration with other sector reforms
  • unclear purpose for regional spatial strategies
  • loss of democratic decision-making.

Here's Council's submission:

Climate Adaptation Act (CAA)

The CAA is not expected to be formally introduced to the Select Committee until 2023. 

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Last updated 2 February 2023