The staged replacement of the Resource Management Act 1991 (RMA) is underway, with the Planning Bill and Natural Environment Bill passing their third readings in Parliament this week. Once they receive Royal Assent, the new laws will replace the RMA over time.

For most people, there will be no immediate change in how they interact with their council on planning matters. Existing RMA plans and processes will largely remain in place while the new national and regional planning framework is developed.

Behind the scenes, however, councils across Manawatū-Whanganui have begun working together to prepare for the new system. One of the biggest changes is the introduction of regional spatial planning. Councils will jointly develop one Regional Spatial Plan for Manawatū-Whanganui, setting the high-level strategic direction for how the region grows and changes over the next 30 years.

An interim secretariat has been established to help coordinate and support this work. The interim secretariat brings together expertise from councils across the region, along with a central government representative from the Ministry for Cities, Environment, Regions and Transport (MCERT). The focus in these early stages is about how the councils will work together to deliver a plan.

Horizons Regional Mayoral Forum Chair and Horowhenua Mayor Bernie Wanden says working together will be critical as councils transition to the new system.

“There’s a lot of work ahead, but if we get this right, there’s a real opportunity to take a long-term view of where and how growth happens across our region, while protecting our natural environment,” Mayor Wanden said.

“A real strength of the region is how our councils work together. We already have strong relationships in place, and that gives us a solid foundation for developing a plan that works for Manawatū-Whanganui as a whole.”

The Manawatū-Whanganui Regional Spatial Plan will help answer some of the big questions facing the region: Where could our communities grow? What infrastructure will be needed? How should our transport connections develop? What environmental values and constraints need to be considered? And how do we make these decisions across council boundaries rather than in isolation?

The move from the RMA to the new system will happen in stages. The Government will establish national policy direction and standards. At the same time, councils, with input from key agencies and mana whenua, will begin developing the Regional Spatial Plan. This will include opportunities for community involvement and a formal public submissions process.

New land-use and natural environment plans will then follow. Territorial authorities will prepare land-use plans for their districts, while the regional council will prepare a land-use plan for the coastal marine area and a natural environment plan for the region.

There is still significant work to be done before communities see major changes. Councils will keep communities updated as the regional programme develops, including when and how people can have their say.

Formal public consultation on the draft Regional Spatial Plan is expected in 2028.

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Related Links:

• Planning Bill and Natural Environment Bill - New Zealand Parliament
• Planning Bill | New Zealand Legislation
• Natural Environment Bill | New Zealand Legislation