10 Dec 2025
Engineering New Zealand welcomes the Government’s proposed changes regarding resource management reforms.
Yesterday the Government announced it intends to replace the Resource Management Act 1991 (RMA) with a more streamlined planning system covered by two bills:
- A Planning Bill that establishes a framework for planning and regulating the use, development and enjoyment of land.
- A Natural Environment Bill that establishes a framework for the use, protection and enhancement of the natural environment.
“We are broadly supportive of the framing of the proposed changes to streamline the resource management system – to reduce complexity, and provide clearer national direction,” says Engineering New Zealand Chief Executive Dr Richard Templer.
“These changes appear to be good news for engineers and have the potential to enable faster consenting, reduce compliance costs and support more consistent infrastructure delivery.”
“We are also pleased at the significant mention of the importance of horizontal infrastructure work and civil engineering in these announced changes.”
However, Engineering New Zealand sees opportunities to strengthen the reforms and note that the devil is in the detail.
“We are still missing a clear plan for local government reform – which will be crucial for implementation and ensuring interdependencies are carefully managed across the significant level of law change councils will be expected to design and lead. Resource Management change is not the only moving part councils are expected to implement. We are calling on the Government to deliver on this alongside these proposed changes,” says Templer.
“And while the Bills include a clear goal of protecting the environment and indigenous biodiversity, it will be dependent on the successful implementation and enforcement of clear national and regional standards. We look forward to learning more about the design and delivery of these.”
Engineering New Zealand is looking forward to submitting on these changes - reviewing the points above, as well as other considerations, such as how the system will be governed. Engineering is fundamental to ensuring the new system is technically sound, practical on the ground, and ready to meet future demands. We are very keen to work with Government as this work progresses.
Members’ views are needed to help shape our submission on the proposed changes. Please contact us via advocacy@engineeringnz.org if you would like to be part of the process.
You can read more on the changes here.
