The Resource Management Act is undergoing its biggest overhaul in decades, and with new legislation, planning reforms, and local government changes all being discussed, it’s understandable that many landowners, developers and businesses are wondering what it means for them.
To help cut through the noise, BTW Planner Bridget Rook has answered some of the most common questions we’re hearing from landowners, developers, and investors across Taranaki.
Bridget explains what is changing, what isn’t, and where the opportunities may lie for housing, subdivision, rural land and infrastructure development in the years ahead.
Whether you’re considering a subdivision, planning a development, investing in property, or simply trying to understand how the reforms may affect your land, this Q&A provides practical insights relevant to Taranaki.
There has been a lot of discussion around Resource Management Act (RMA) reform and new legislation before Parliament. At a practical level, what should Taranaki landowners and developers actually be paying attention to right now?
There has definitely been a lot of noise around the RMA reform with the Government proposing to replace the RMA with two new pieces of legislation including a Planning Bill (focused on land use and development) and a Natural Environment Bill (focused on managing environmental effects). However, the key thing is that nothing has changed on the ground yet in terms of replacing the RMA and existing Regional and District Plans.
The new system is still working its way through Parliament, and the current RMA is what still applies today and will continue to for several years while we transition to the new system.
In practical terms, the focus should stay on the fundamentals that determine whether a project is viable. That includes whether a site can be serviced, how stormwater will be managed, and whether there are physical constraints such as flooding or wetlands. Just as importantly, from a development perspective, is understanding what level of yield the planning framework will realistically support, and whether that will make the project financially viable. Another key consideration is whether a project can progress via a non-notified pathway, as this can have a big impact on timeframes and cost.
Opportunities created by reforms is important to understand, but the characteristics of a site will also continue to guide what can be achieved.
What are some of the biggest changes or opportunities you think could emerge for Taranaki property owners, particularly around subdivision, housing development, rural land and infrastructure?
The overall direction of the reforms is to make the system simpler and more predictable, particularly when it comes to housing and infrastructure.
This is essentially a shift towards a more enabling approach. Rather than needing to justify every aspect of a proposal, the system is heading toward allowing development unless there is a clear reason not to. The Part Operative New Plymouth District Plan (PODP) has already started to reflect this direction, with more scope for higher density development than in the past, particularly where good urban design outcomes can be demonstrated.
There is also a strong push for more consistency across the country, which should make the rules easier to understand and apply.
An important shift for Taranaki is likely to be the stronger link between planning and infrastructure through regional spatial plans. Where growth is planned and where services go will play a much bigger role in shaping development opportunities.
For rural landowners, it is likely to remain more complex. There may be more flexibility in some situations, but constraints around things like highly productive land and environmental values will not be going away. The National Policy Statement for Highly Productive Land (NPS-HPL) is already a significant constraint in Taranaki, and that focus on protecting productive soils is expected to continue in some form.
Overall, the biggest opportunity is really around certainty. Knowing where development is supported, and where it is not, makes it much easier to plan with confidence.
Do you think the proposed reforms are likely to make development and consenting simpler or faster in regions like Taranaki, or is there still uncertainty while the changes work through?
There is still quite a bit of uncertainty in the short term, particularly with a general election coming up in November. there is a change in government, there may be further changes to the currently proposed reforms, including a possible shift from a more permissive, property-rights-focused approach to one with stronger environmental bottom lines. The intention behind the reforms is clearly to make things faster and less complicated, and over time that should come through. But we are not there yet. The legislation is still being finalised, and even once it is passed, there will be a transition period before everything comes into full effect. So there is still a need to navigate the RMA for several years to come.
For people considering subdivision, development, or land investment in Taranaki over the next few years, what would your advice be right now? Is it worth acting sooner rather than waiting for the reforms to fully land?
Do you think the proposed reforms are likely to make development and consenting simpler or faster in regions like Taranaki, or is there still uncertainty while the changes work through?
There is still quite a bit of uncertainty in the short term, particularly with a general election coming up in November. If there is a change in government, there will likely be further changes, including a possible shift from a more permissive, property-rights-focused approach to one with stronger environmental bottom lines.
For people considering subdivision, development, or land investment in Taranaki over the next few years, what would your advice be right now? Is it worth acting sooner rather than waiting for the reforms to fully land?
In most cases, it’s better to act than wait. The current system is well understood, and there are clear pathways to get projects moving. Waiting for reform can introduce a lot of uncertainty, both in terms of timing and what the final rules will actually look like.
It’s worth remembering that a good site now will still be a good site under the new system, and a constrained site is unlikely to suddenly become straightforward.
The best approach is usually to understand a site properly from the outset including what it can realistically support, where the risks sit, and what the likely consenting pathway looks like.
With local government reform also being discussed, what impact could that have on planning and development in regions like Taranaki?
So far, local government reform has mainly focused on encouraging councils to work more closely together, particularly around planning, infrastructure, and service delivery. As part of this, councils have been invited to put forward reform proposals under a voluntary “Head Start” process, with submissions due to the Government by 9 August 2026. Taranaki’s four councils are heavily involved in the Simplifying Local Government process, which features a fast-track “Head Start” pathway.
While nothing has been confirmed for Taranaki yet, the overall direction is toward more coordinated, region-wide decision-making. Over time, that could provide clearer direction on where growth is expected and how it will be supported.
How can BTW Company help landowners and developers navigate these changes?
At BTW Company, it often starts with early advice. That might be a quick feasibility check before buying a property, or a review of a concept to make sure it is on the right track.
With planning, environmental, surveying and engineering expertise, we can look at projects from all angles, giving a clear picture of what opportunities a site can support and how to move it forward.
This early input from our experts helps identify risks, avoid delays, and gives clients a clear idea of what is involved before they commit.
The good news is that while change is coming, the fundamentals of good land development remain the same. Understanding what a site can support, identifying constraints early, and navigating planning requirements effectively are still the keys to successful projects.
FIND OUT MORE AT BTW PLANNING: https://www.btw.nz/services/planning-rma
