Prime Minister Christopher Luxon says the Government's Resource Management Act reforms "will make building infrastructure easier, faster and more affordable," as select committee reports on the RMA reform bills detail 142 pages of changes. RNZ

The reforms include a "regulatory relief" scheme under which landowners would be compensated by councils for regulatory changes that affect their property. A ministry-commissioned report by consultancy Martin Jenkins estimated the cost of that scheme at between $7 million and $1.99 billion. The select committee also removed a clause from the bills that required the use and development of the environment to be kept "within environmental limits." RNZ

Labour submitted a minority report calling the bills "even more unpalatable and unworkable" after the select committee process. The Green Party opposed the regulatory relief regime "in its entirety," according to RNZ's reporting on the committee reports. RNZ

Hon Chris Bishop is the Minister Responsible for RMA Reform, and Simon Court is a minister involved with the new planning legislation to replace the Resource Management Act. The portfolio sits within the National-ACT-New Zealand First coalition government. Court stated the new legislation will make it easier to get things done while protecting the environment. Beehive

Budget 2026 allocates NZ$294 million over four years to support the rollout of the new planning and environmental management system. Beehive

The RMA replacement is designed to reduce costs and paperwork for farmers and growers. The new planning system is intended to be easier for local government to use and navigate, delivering better value for ratepayers. Beehive Beehive

The Government's replacement legislation is targeted to be enacted before the 2026 general election. Some targeted RMA amendments are set to expire on 30 September 2026. Ministry for the Environment Ministry for the Environment

The Government plans to replace the National Policy Statement for Freshwater Management using the full statutory process set out in the RMA. Reforms also include enabling resilient infrastructure projects through fast-track consenting. Ministry for the Environment Ministry for the Environment

The removal of the environmental limits clause narrows the reform package's scope. The original provision set a binding floor for environmental protection within the new system; stripping it out shifts that balance toward development enablement.

The regulatory relief scheme raises fiscal questions for councils already navigating ratepayer pressure. The Martin Jenkins range is wide, reflecting uncertainty about how many landowners would trigger compensation and at what cost. Local government will carry the implementation risk.

With the 2026 general election as the Government's enactment target, the legislation now enters a narrow window. The select committee stage has produced substantive changes. Opposition parties have staked out clear positions that will carry into the campaign.