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New planning laws are now in place. The Ministry for Cities, Environment, Regions & Transport is publishing guidance, tools and updates on this website as the new planning system is introduced in stages.

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  • How will it affect you
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Planning system overview

Find out why the planning system is changing, how the new system will work, and what it could mean for you.

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  • Why the system is changing
  • How the new system will differ from the RMA
  • How decisions are made
  • What the new system could mean for you
  • When the changes are happening
  • Consents and notices of requirement during the transition
  • Key milestones in the transition
  • When you can have your say

How will it affect you

Find out what the new planning system could mean for Māori, communities, businesses and organisations across New Zealand.

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  • Māori interests
  • The natural environment
  • Local government
  • Homeowners and landowners
  • Property development
  • Infrastructure
  • Farming and growing
  • Marine environment

Implementation and guidance

Access practitioner information and support for implementing the new planning system with confidence.

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  • How the new system is being implemented
  • Implementation training and events
  • Transitional consenting
  • Regional spatial plans
  • Land use planning
  • Standardised plan content for district land use plans
  • Natural environment planning
  • Environmental limits
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  3. How the new system is being implemented

Implementation and guidance

  • How the new system is being implemented
  • Implementation training and events
  • Transitional consenting
  • Regional spatial plans
  • Land use planning
  • Standardised plan content for district land use plans
  • Natural environment planning
  • Environmental limits

How the new system is being implemented

Find the information you need to implement the new system with confidence.

Implementation of the new system

The new planning system will mean new ways of working. We will provide guidance, training and implementation support in stages as different parts of the system are developed and introduced.

Some parts of the system, such as transitional consenting and regional spatial planning, need to be implemented now, and training and guidance are already available to support this work. 

Moving from the RMA to the new planning system will take time. We will continue to provide guidance, training and support for other parts of the system, including national policy direction and standards, data improvements and digital tools, as they are developed and introduced. 

See when the changes are happening.

We are investing in digital tools, high-quality data, practitioner training and support, and new institutions such as the Planning Tribunal. As the digital system develops, we will make guidance and support more integrated, interactive and easier to access and use.

Implementation needs will change as different parts of the new system are introduced. During the transition, resource consent processes will continue under the amended RMA framework, while work on the new system gets underway, starting with regional spatial plans.

See detailed guidance on transitional consenting.

See detailed guidance on regional spatial planning.

What happens next and when more information will be available

We will build implementation support as the new system develops and as national standards and regulations are put in place. 

We will update this page with guidance, support materials, examples and learning resources as more information becomes available.

Implementation and guidance

  • How the new system is being implemented
  • Implementation training and events
  • Transitional consenting
  • Regional spatial plans
  • Land use planning
  • Standardised plan content for district land use plans
  • Natural environment planning
  • Environmental limits

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