RMA reform: Resource Consent Changes from 30 October 2026

New Zealand’s resource management system is changing in stages. The Planning Act 2026 and Natural Environment Act 2026 received Royal assent on 30 September 2026, establishing the framework for the new system.

The Resource Management Act 1991 (RMA) will continue to govern most everyday consenting and enforcement during the transition. However, targeted amendments take effect on 30 October 2026, changing how relevant resource consent applications are assessed.

This article explains two key changes for applicants: additional procedural principles and limits on the matters councils can consider. It also outlines what property owners and developers should check before lodging an application.

This is the first article in our series on RMA reform. A further article will explain application timing, existing consents and the wider transition programme.

Amendments that take effect from 30 October 2026

Two changes are particularly relevant to resource consent applicants: additional procedural principles and limits on the matters councils can consider.

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Additional procedural principles

New section 18B places greater emphasis on clear documents, proportionate information requirements and practical decision-making during the transition. For applicants, this reinforces the value of a focused application that explains the proposal clearly and provides the information needed to assess its effects.

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Matters councils must disregard

For relevant district land use applications and notices of requirement, councils must disregard specified matters that are outside the scope of the transitional assessment. Subject to the qualifications in the Act, these include:

• negative effects on trade competition and retail distribution
• a project’s lack of demand or financial viability
• the type of residents a development would house
• views from private property
• specified aspects of residential design, including glazing area, balconies, outdoor living space, internal layout, unit size and landscaped area.

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The residential-design exclusions do not apply where the matters concern the protection of historic heritage. The exclusion for landscaped area also does not apply in relation to permeability.

These exclusions will also affect related steps in the consenting process, including notification decisions, requests for further information, the gateway test for non-complying activities, the imposition of consent conditions, and the information required with an application.

For a district land use proposal that breaches only rules relating to these excluded effects, the legislation provides a process to seek a deemed permitted activity notice. Consent authorities will also be able to disregard relevant provisions in RMA planning documents. District councils will have an optional, simpler process for removing provisions that address the specified excluded matters.

The scope matters here: these changes do not mean that every design, amenity or environmental effect becomes irrelevant to every application.

Other changes that have immediate effect on 30 October include the public-notification special circumstances test and some Medium Density Residential Standards. Official summary of RMA changes.

What should property owners and developers do now?

RMA reform makes early planning advice valuable, particularly where a project involves multiple approvals, expiring consents or a proposed change in land use.

Before lodging a resource consent application:

1. Confirm the approvals your project needs. Identify the relevant district and regional consent requirements.

2. Check the transitional rules. Establish which amendments apply to your application and decision process.

3. Review any out-of-scope matters. Keep the assessment focused on effects the council can legally consider.

4. Record key dates. Keep clear records of lodgement dates, consent expiry dates and project milestones.

5. Monitor emerging plans and standards. Identify changes that could affect your site, infrastructure requirements or development options.

The right approach will depend on your project, location and existing approvals.

We’ll keep publishing information about the RMA reform as we work through the transition period.

Talk to Inovo about resource consent applications and RMA reform

If you have questions about the reforms or would like to understand how future spatial planning processes may affect your property, get in touch with Inovo's planning team. We can assist you to review emerging regional spatial plans, identify opportunities and constraints, and prepare submissions where appropriate. We will continue to monitor the reform programme as it evolves.  

Prepared by Clara Casaes, Resource Management Planner, and Jono Begg, Resource Management Planning Team Manager. Published on 17 October 2026.

This article contains general information and opinion based on our expertise. It is provided free of charge and does not constitute legal advice.

Have you got further questions about this topic or our other services? Our full planning team is always happy to help – drop us an email rmplanning@inovo.nz, or phone us on 020 4000 0294.

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