New Zealand Grants Royal Assent to Reformed Planning Laws

The Planning Act and Natural Environment Act received Royal assent on 30 September, replacing the 1991 Resource Management Act and establishing a new planning framework. The reforms aim to simplify building approvals, support renewable energy, food and fibre production, and improve environmental protection by making major decisions—national policy direction, consistent standards, and long‑term regional spatial plans—upfront. Each region will produce a combined regional plan that unites spatial, natural environment, and land‑use plans, giving clearer guidance on growth, protection, and rules. Councils will keep processing consents under the old Act while preparing for the new system, with transitional arrangements starting next month. A new Planning Tribunal will launch in 2027, and the full system is expected to be operational by 2030. The government has opened public feedback on the illustrative National Policy Direction until 16 October and will release final standards in 2027.