Planning system changes
The Government is making changes to planning laws, bringing in new legislation that will eventually replace the Resource Management Act (RMA).
New legislation
In September 2026 the Planning Act and Natural Environment Act received Royal Assent making them law.
The new planning system splits responsibilities across two Acts:
- The Planning Act covers how land is used and developed, including housing, infrastructure, towns and cities, rural areas, natural hazards, and planning rules for property and development.
- The Natural Environment Act covers how natural resources are used, protected and improved. This includes setting environmental limits for freshwater, coastal water, air, land, soil and indigenous biodiversity.
Transitioning to the new Acts
Moving away from the RMA is a significant change for the planning industry and will take time to implement. The new system will be introduced in stages and is expected to be fully in place by 2030.
Transition period
A phased transition to the new planning system is now underway. Some early changes are being introduced to improve processes and outcomes sooner, while maintaining certainty for councils, applicants and communities.
Key info:
- Resource consent applications will continue to be processed under the RMA during the transition, but there will be changes to how applications are assessed including matters Council must now disregard.
- All applications lodged up to 30 October 2026 must be assessed against the existing District Plan.
- If an application is already lodged and you want your application to be assessed under the new RMA provisions, you will need to withdraw your application and lodge a new application.
Rotorua District Plan
By December 2029, councils will be expected to have developed Natural Environment Plans and Land Use Plans which will replace the Rotorua District Plan. The community will have the opportunity to help shape what those plans look like through a public notification and consultation process.
Until then, the district plan is still council’s local rulebook for land use and development.
Regional Spatial Planning
Under the new planning system, regional spatial plans are required by law.
Bay of Plenty councils (including Taupō and offshore islands) have been working together to develop a regional spatial plan (RSP). The RSP builds on local growth plans (i.e. the Rotorua Future Development Strategy) and provides a long-term, regional view of how our communities could grow and develop over the next 30 years.
A RSP will:
- Identify the main drivers of growth and change in the region.
- Show the broad location of future housing, infrastructure, transport networks, environmental areas and taonga we want to protect, and opportunities for things like renewable energy.
- Help coordinate planning and investment across councils and government agencies.
- Include objectives, maps and actions.
Rotorua Lakes Council is also participating in the development of Waikato Regional Spatial Plan.
Councils are now confirming governance arrangements, development timeframes and the process for preparing the Bay of Plenty Regional Spatial Plan.
National Policy Direction (NPD)
The illustrative National Policy Direction (NPD) has been developed to demonstrate how national direction could operate under the future planning framework once the Planning Act and Natural Environment Act are enacted.
The NPD will be the primary mechanism for translating the objectives of the new planning system into clear national priorities and direction for regional spatial plans, local planning instruments, and consent decisions. The illustrative NPD is organised around five themes aligned with Government priorities:
- Housing and development
- Infrastructure
- Primary production
- Resources
- Public values
Feedback is being sought on the proposed thematic structure, whether the illustrative NPD provides a useful representation of how national direction could operate in practice, and whether there are any significant gaps, priorities, or trade-offs that should be addressed.
Future updates
Council will continue to provide updates as the Government confirms details for the new legislation. This webpage will be updated with more information as it becomes available.
You can stay informed by:
- Checking this webpage
- Signing up for council’s Building, Planning and Development Newsletter
- Visiting planning.govt.nz
- Following council on Facebook
