Intensification Plan Changes: The Challenge of Planning Durability in a Centrally Directed Planning System
13/01/2026
New plan making processes have evolved the planning system to become more focused on speed and efficiency (and more recently achieving development outcomes) over public participation. These processes may be fast, but as this article explores, they may also come at a significant increased cost if planning durability is compromised.
Resource Management (Consenting and Other System Changes) Amendment Bill: Faster, Stronger, Better?
27/02/2025
The Resource Management (Consenting and Other System Changes) Amendment Bill is the second phase of the coalition Government’s three phase major transformation of the resource management system. RMA Reform Minister, Chris Bishop has promoted the Bill as a means of giving effect to coalition commitments, providing quick wins for simplifying the system even further, cutting red tape, and delivering changes that can transition to the new RMA system once implemented. This article is an overview of key changes proposed in the Bill.
Enabling Housing Supply Legislation: Speed above quality and democracy?
09/03/2022
The recent amendments to the RMA are intended to unlock development potential in our cities by removing existing planning rules and encouraging more medium density dwellings to be built.