The New Planning System

The new planning system

New Zealand’s planning system is changing.

On 30 September 2026, the Planning Act and Natural Environment Act received Royal assent and became law. Together, they establish the framework for a new planning and environmental management system that will progressively replace the Resource Management Act 1991 (RMA).

The new planning system will be introduced in stages over the next few years.

A transitional consenting framework will begin on 30 October 2026. From that point, amendments to the RMA will bring some elements of the new consenting framework into effect.

The new planning system is expected to be fully in place by 2030.

What are the two new Acts?

The Planning Act

Establishes a new framework for planning and regulating the use and development of land. Its framework includes national instruments, regional spatial plans, land-use plans and planning consents.

The Natural Environment Act

The Natural Environment Act establishes the framework for managing natural resources and the natural environment. Its framework includes environmental limits, national instruments, natural environment plans and natural resource permits.

What does the transition period mean for resource consents?

Resource consenting will continue under the RMA which is currently in force until the transitional consenting period begins on 30 October 2026.

When transitional consenting begins, an amended version of the RMA will apply. Key changes include:

• new procedural principles to guide decision-making under new section 18B of the RMA
• a reduced scope of effects that can be considered for district land-use activities under new section 104(1A) of the RMA
• removal of the special circumstances test for public notification.

NPDC will continue processing resource consents and undertaking compliance, monitoring and enforcement functions under the amended RMA while preparing for the new system.

Applications lodged before the transition period has begun

These will continue to be assessed under the RMA and relevant District Plan provisions that apply before the transition commenced.

If an applicant with an existing application wants their proposal to be considered under the new transitional consenting provisions, they would need to withdraw the existing application and lodge a new application after the transitional provisions take effect.

Applicants would remain responsible for the processing costs associated with the withdrawn and new applications, although Council will aim to make the re-application process as straightforward as possible.

Applications lodged once the transition period has begun

Will be assessed against the amended RMA under the transitional consenting provisions.

Matters that cannot be considered under transitional consenting

New section 104(1A) of the RMA excludes certain matters from consideration when assessing resource consent applications for district land-use activities or designations.

The excluded matters are:

The changes will apply to consent applications lodged once the transition period begins

We are reviewing the District Plan to understand how these exclusions will affect the application of existing District Plan provisions. Council is also considering how best to reflect the new legislative requirements in the District Plan.

Where to find more information

• Planning.govt.nz
  The New Zealand Government's central website for information, guidance, implementation updates and resources on the new planning system.
  This is a great place for planning practitioners or other development sector professionals to familiarise yourself with the information. It also has dates for national workshops and webinars.

• New Zealand Legislation
  Website where you will find legislation sets including the amended RMA, and new Planning Act and the National Environment Act.

Further updates

We will be monitoring the rollout of new planning provisions and update this page with key milestones and information, so keep checking back here for local updates.

While many of our current processes will stay the same for now, NPDC is working hard to get ready for transitional consenting and to understand what the changes mean for the District Plan. We appreciate your patience while we work those these changes.

Need planning advice?

You are welcome to submit any queries that you may have to our planning consents team. See Contact us.

For advice specific to your proposal, you may wish to engage a planning consultant or other suitably qualified professional to help you understand how the changes may affect you.