After months of drafting, consultation and parliamentary scrutiny, the wait is over – the Planning Act (PA) and the Natural Environment Act (NEA) have passed into law (together the Acts). The Acts replace the Resource Management Act 1991 (RMA), which has been the foundation of New Zealand’s resource management framework for more than 35 years.
As we outlined in our previous article on the RMA reforms, the NEA focuses on environmental protection and enhancement, while the PA focuses on the use, development and enjoyment of land. This split system marks a significant shift in resource management, intended to promote efficient management of land use activities.
In the guide "35 years in the making: Dual Acts lay new foundations for resource management", we outline the key changes between the introduction of the Bills in December 2025 and their enactment, considering what they mean for anyone navigating New Zealand’s new resource management system.
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