22 July 2026
Te Uru Kahika responds to the Environment Committee report-back on resource management bills
The Environment Committee has reported back on the two Bills intended to replace the Resource Management Act, providing a picture of the likely shape of the two Acts intended to replace the Resource Management Act.
Regional and unitary councils have long supported the case for resource management reform, seeing an opportunity to build a clearer, more efficient system for housing, infrastructure and productive investment, alongside healthy natural environments and resilient communities.
Te Uru Kahika Resource Management Reform Director Al Cross said the report-back is an important milestone, though further amendment papers are expected as the Bills progress through the law-making process, including potential changes to Mana Whakahono ā Rohe and other matters. Some important settings may remain uncertain until relatively late in the legislative process.
"This report-back gives us a much clearer picture of the likely shape of the two Acts, and in many respects the core architecture remain as proposed with some limited changes around regional functions. Councils will continue to prepare natural environment plans, set environmental limits, monitor the state of the environment, and carry out consenting and compliance and enforcement work," said Mr Cross.
"We're pleased to see a more workable transition timeframe, extended from 30 to 39 months. This reflects our collective local government advocacy for realistic timeframes that allow for genuine engagement and robust decision-making.
"While revised timeframes are more realistic, transition will remain complex and demanding so councils must be well supported."
Mr Cross said some areas need close attention as the Bills progress.
"Environmental limits are a key part of the future system and changes intended to make the framework more workable have also widened the range of activities in which Ministers can allow activities to exceed limits, and standards enabling limits to be breached under some circumstances.
"Environmental limits need to provide credible and durable direction while remaining practical to develop and implement. We are examining closely what the changes would mean for environmental outcomes, regional decision-making, investment certainty, and councils’ responsibilities when limits are exceeded," said Mr Cross.
There's been a strong reaction across the country to the Government announcement that further amendment papers will seek to remove both existing and initiated Mana Whakahono ā Rohe agreements, and that a new undefined mechanism of Iwi Participation Agreements will be introduced.
Mana Whakahono ā Rohe agreements represent relationships both councils and mana whenua have invested years in building. Te Uru Kahika advocate that Treaty settlements must continue to be upheld, and iwi and hapū must have genuine opportunities to participate in decisions affecting their interests and rohe.
The regulatory relief framework also remains largely unchanged and there’s considerable uncertainty surrounding the fiscal and decision-making implications. There is also a risk that costs will fall unevenly, particularly on regions with significant indigenous biodiversity, extensive environmental responsibilities, and relatively small rating populations.
Te Uru Kahika Director Iain Maxwell said the report-back also reinforces the importance of looking after staff who will deliver the new system.
"Whatever the final wording of these Bills, success will come down to whether we retain the capability sitting in our regional and unitary councils right now. Our people carry the specialist expertise, science, data and regional knowledge needed to turn legislation into good outcomes on the ground.
"This is a significant change happening at the same time as local government reorganisation. We owe it to our people, and to the communities they serve, to look after that capability and support our teams through the transition," said Mr Maxwell.
Te Uru Kahika will continue to work through the detail of the report-back with councils and central government on the detailed design, transition and implementation of the future planning system.
