Prime Minister Christopher Luxon says the Government's changes to the Resource Management Act (RMA) "will make building infrastructure easier, faster and more affordable." A Parliament committee has now reported back with 142 pages of changes to the reform bills. RNZ

The RMA is the law that controls how land, water, and air are used and protected across Aotearoa New Zealand. The Government wants to replace it with a new, simpler planning system.

One part of the reforms is called "regulatory relief." This means councils would have to pay landowners if new rules affect their property. A report by consultancy Martin Jenkins, paid for by the Government, estimated this could cost anywhere from $7 million to $1.99 billion. RNZ

The committee also removed a rule that said development had to stay "within environmental limits." That rule was meant to make sure the environment was protected no matter what. RNZ

Labour and the Greens are against the changes. Labour called the bills "even more unpalatable and unworkable." The Green Party opposed the compensation scheme "in its entirety," according to RNZ. RNZ

Chris Bishop is the minister in charge of the RMA reforms, and Simon Court is another minister working on the new law. Both are part of the National-ACT-NZ First coalition government. Court said the new law will make it easier to get things done while still protecting the environment. Beehive

Budget 2026 sets aside NZ$294 million over four years to roll out the new system. Beehive

The Government says the new system will cut costs and paperwork for farmers and growers. It is also meant to be easier for councils to use, which could mean better value for ratepayers. Beehive Beehive

The Government wants the new law passed before the 2026 general election. Some temporary changes to the RMA are due to expire on 30 September 2026. Ministry for the Environment Ministry for the Environment

The Government also plans to replace the National Policy Statement for Freshwater Management, which tells councils how to look after rivers, lakes, and streams. It will use the standard legal process set out in the RMA to do this. The reforms also include a fast-track process to approve big infrastructure projects more quickly. Ministry for the Environment Ministry for the Environment

The wider picture is that removing the environmental limits rule weakens the environmental protections in the package. Without that floor, the balance tips toward making it easier to build and develop.

The compensation scheme also raises money questions for councils, many of which are already under pressure from ratepayers. The cost range is so wide because no one knows yet how many landowners will claim compensation or how much it will add up to. Councils will carry that risk.

The Government wants the new law passed before the 2026 election, so time is tight. The committee stage has already brought big changes. Opposition parties have made their positions clear, and those positions will carry into the election campaign.