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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Land use planning
Learn more about land use planning in the new planning system, including standardised zones and content.
About land use planning
Land use planning is about deciding how the built environment can be used, developed and enjoyed within a district, city or region. Land use plans are regulatory instruments that provide rules for land use, land development and subdivision. The new planning system will create a more consistent approach to land use planning across Aotearoa New Zealand.
Land use plans implement national policy direction, national standards and regional spatial plans. They set rules and requirements for activities such as housing, business activities, infrastructure, subdivision and development in areas affected by natural hazards. This includes whether an activity is permitted or requires a land use consent.
Land use plans will be developed over time as national direction, standards and regional spatial plans are put in place. Councils and practitioners can expect further guidance and implementation support as key components of the system become available.
How land use planning differs from the RMA
Under the Resource Management Act 1991 (RMA), councils developed much of their own planning content and planning approaches, while also giving effect to national policy statements and national environmental standards. These existing pieces of national direction will be integrated into the new planning system through new national instruments.
In the new system, land use plans will apply nationally standardised planning content, including zones, overlays, definitions and provisions.
See standardised plan content for district land use plans.
The new system also changes how planning rules are applied. It focuses on managing adverse effects that are minor or greater, which means more activities are expected to be permitted. Planning controls will focus on a narrower range of effects and outcomes. This places greater emphasis on clear plan content, compliance and enforcement, rather than relying on resource consent processes for all activities.
Planning decisions sit within a stronger planning hierarchy, with national policy direction (NPD) and standardised content shaping local planning decisions.
See how decisions flow through the system.
Land use plans will implement national instruments and regional spatial plans, creating a clearer and stronger link between national direction, regional priorities and local planning decisions.
Who will be affected by the changes
Land use planning affects:
- people and communities
- councils
- planners and planning consultants
- iwi/Māori
- infrastructure providers
- developers and landowners
- GIS and digital practitioners.
For planners and councils, the shift is not only about understanding new legislation. It is also about changing planning practice, processes, digital systems and ways of working. Transition and practice change will be just as important as legislative change.
What is happening next
Preparing for changes in planning practice
Planners will continue to carry out many of the same core activities they do today. Councils will still prepare plans, consider local circumstances, engage with iwi/Māori and communities, and assess and decide resource consent applications.
The illustrative NPD provides an early indication of how national direction may be applied through regional spatial plans and land use plans. It includes proposed direction on matters such as urban development, infrastructure and natural hazards. While policy development is ongoing, the illustrative NPD provides useful context for understanding how national direction, regional spatial plans and land use plans may work together in the future system.
See the illustrative NPD (Environment.govt.nz).
As the new system develops, practitioners may need to build their understanding of important areas such as:
- applying nationally standardised planning content and policy direction
- how regional spatial plan direction will be translated into local planning decisions
- making spatial planning decisions about where development, infrastructure and protection should occur
- using digital and geospatial information as part of plan development and implementation.
The new system will require a shift in planning practice and culture. Planners are likely to spend less time developing bespoke planning content and more time applying nationally consistent approaches. As more activities become permitted, there will be a greater focus on compliance and enforcement to support planning outcomes. Greater collaboration across funding, planning, infrastructure and digital disciplines may also become increasingly important.