This page has information about the legislative changes made through the Resource Legislation Amendment Act 2017.
The Government proposes to repeal a few of these changes see Improving our resource management system.
Link to the Act
- Resource Legislation Amendment Act 2017 [New Zealand Legislation website]
Overview of the changes
The Resource Legislation Amendment Act 2017 (RLAA) contained close to 40 amendments. It amended five different Acts: the Resource Management Act 1991 (RMA), Conservation Act 1986, Reserves Act 1977, Public Works Act 1981, and Exclusive Economic Zone and Continental Shelf (Environmental Effects) Act 2013. Consequential changes were also made to other Acts and the Resource Management (Forms, Fees and Procedure) Regulations 2003.
For more information see: Overview of changes introduced by the Resource Legislation Amendment Act 2017 [PDF, 498 KB].
RLAA factsheets
The following 16 factsheets provide information about the changes to the RMA, including specific timeframes that apply.
1 - New options for national direction
2 - Revised functions for RMA decision makers
3 - Changes to Maori participation in the RMA
4 - Changes to the standard planning track
5 - A new optional streamlined planning process
6 - A new optional collaborative planning process
7 - Changes to heritage protection under the RMA
8 - New consent exemption and fast-track processes
9 - Changes to resource consent notification
10 - New matters to consider for resource consents and designations
11 - Fixed charges must be published, and regulations may set fixed charge requirements
12 - Alignment of Conservation Act and Reserves Act processes with the RMA
13 - Changes to public notices, electronic servicing and submission strike out
14 - Changes to objections and Environment Court processes
15 - Changes to the board of inquiry process
16 - Changes to land acquisition under the Public Works Act
Other material
Planning tracks summary comparison
- Comparison of the standard, streamlined and collaborative planning processes, including potential costs, benefits, opportunities and risks for each process.
Form to apply to the Minister for the Environment for a streamlined planning process
- An application form for councils to submit their request to the Minister for the Environment to approve the use of the streamlined planning process, including information requirements.
Process map on joint reserve exchange and RMA process initiation
- A flowchart for council staff to determine whether a joint hearing and decision-making process can be used for a reserve exchange request and RMA application (plan change request or resource consent application).
- A flowchart showing new step-by-step process to determine whether to give public or limited notification of resource consents; introduced by RLAA and updated to incorporate changes as a result of the Resource Management Amendment Act 2020.
Resource consent process for fast track applications
- A flowchart showing the resource consent process for fast track applications, intended for council planners, practitioners, and other interested parties.
Deemed permitted boundary activity process
- A flowchart to assist councils with processing these applications; introduced by RLAA.
A technical guide to deemed permitted activities
- A technical guide for planning professionals to understand and successfully implement the changes introduced by RLAA and taking effect from 18 October 2017.
A technical guide to resource consent notification
- A technical guide for consent authorities to understand and implement the changes to the notification provisions introduced by RLAA and updated to incorporate changes as a result of the Resource Management Amendment Act 2020.
Information sheets on resource management processes for general public
The following information sheets provide an overview of processes under the Resource Management Act 1991 (RMA) for resource consents, deemed permitted boundary activities, and plan-making. These information sheets reflect changes made to the RMA through the Resource Legislation Amendment Act 2017.
- Information for applicants: Resource consents
- Information for applicants: Deemed permitted boundary activities
- Information for affected persons: Written approvals
- Information for submitters: Preparing a submission on a notified consent
- Information for applicants and submitters: Notified resource consents
- Information on streamlined planning process
Find out more
Media releases and speeches about the reforms
- Minister's media release: Second phase RMA Bill passed [Beehive website]
- Resource Legislation Amendment Bill Q&As (PDF, 361 KB) [Beehive website]
Advice to select committee
-
Ministry for the Environment advice to the Local Government and Environment Select Committee, including departmental reports [New Zealand Parliament website].
Regulatory impact statements
The following regulatory impact statements detail the original policy proposals of the Resource Legislation Amendment Bill.
- Regulatory impact statement – Cabinet paper for policy decisions for Resource Legislation Amendment Bill Departmental Report
- Regulatory impact statement - Resource Legislation Amendment Bill
- Regulatory impact statement - Resource Legislation Amendment Bill: EEZ amendments
- Regulatory impact statement - Resource Legislation Amendment Bill: Alignment of the decision-making processes for nationally significant proposals and notified discretionary marine consents