On Monday 20 July 2026, Parliament’s Environment Committee reported the Planning Bill and Natural Environment Bill back to the House. By majority, the committee recommended that both Bills proceed. The Bills now await their second reading.

We have worked through the 957 pages of material and pulled out the changes most likely to matter for those involved in planning, consenting, development, infrastructure, long-term investment and transition to the new system.

What the committee has kept

1. The two Bill system remains, with more clarity around how it will work.

The Planning Bill will mainly cover land use and subdivision, while the Natural Environment Act will manage water, discharges, biodiversity and other natural resources. The select committee has clarified some of the definitions, processes and connections between the two regimes. However, they remain separate systems, and some projects will still need approvals under both Acts.

2. Regional spatial plans (RSPs) remain central to the new system

RSPs will set the long-term strategic direction for regional growth, infrastructure and public investment. They remain strategic rather than regulatory plans.

3. Regulatory relief remains

A rather controversial element of the proposed changes remains, with some clarification provided by the select committee report. Councils may need to provide relief where specified controls significantly affect the reasonable use of land. However relief does not have to fully compensate a landowner for that impact.

4. Some effects will still drop out of RMA district land-use consenting during the transition

One month after Royal assent, councils will generally no longer consider internal building layouts, private views, trade competition, project demand or viability, and certain character, appearance and landscape effects. Important protections for natural hazards, historic heritage, sites of significance to Māori and outstanding natural environments will remain

What the committee has changed

5. RSP requirements are clearer

RSPs must look ahead at least 30 years and identify priority growth areas, significant infrastructure, major development constraints, climate adaptation priorities and strategic designations. The reported Bill also provides greater clarity about their appropriate scale and level of detail.

6. Every RSP will need an implementation plan

The proposed coordination documents have been replaced with mandatory implementation plans. These will identify the actions needed to deliver the RSP, their priority, who is responsible, expected timing and whether funding is planned or secured. Progress must be monitored and reported annually. We think a gap maybe emerging between RSPs, implementation plans and regulatory plans especially how matters get refined between each and what may needed to assist effective decision making between each. We will have further thoughts on this soon.

7. The transition timetable has been extended

The first national policy directions are expected within 12 months of Royal assent, followed by draft RSPs and then the new land-use and natural-environment plans. On the indicative timetable, the overall transition could extend into late 2029. However some elements take effect earlier.

8. Private plan change timing will become critical

From 1 January 2028, until the relevant transition date, councils will generally be unable to notify a private plan change unless the Minister grants an exemption. Lodging a request before then may not be enough.

9. Existing RMA policy material can be carried into the first RSPs

Relevant information from national policy statements, the New Zealand Coastal Policy Statement, regional policy statements and regional or district plans may be used where it remains current and consistent with the new system.

10. Translating RSP direction into detailed plans will matter

Land-use and natural-environment plans must implement the relevant RSP. The practical challenge will be turning strategic decisions about growth, infrastructure and constraints into workable zones, rules and investment programmes. Infrastructure providers will need to manage these alongside emerging national direction, RSPs and future Natural Environment Plans.

We are bringing together HG’s planning, environmental, infrastructure and development specialists to work through what the changes mean for live projects, plan changes, consent renewals and future investment programmes. We will provide more in-depth analysis on each of these issues, and others, as our understanding develops and the Bills progress and the national instruments take shape.