Five Million Voices

Should the Resource Management Act be amended to make consenting infrastructure easier, allow councils to opt out of medium-density residential standards, and give the Minister new powers over council plans?

The bill amends the Resource Management Act 1991 to change consenting processes for infrastructure and renewable energy, make medium-density residential standards optional for councils, and add ministerial powers over plans and policies. It includes a range of targeted changes ahead of a planned wider RMA reform.

MPs’ arguments for and against the bill

Why support it
  • Supporters argued the bill provides targeted changes that make it easier to consent new infrastructure, build housing, and support the primary sector while broader RMA reform is developed.
  • Supporters said it enables investment in renewable energy to advance emissions-reduction goals and would unlock housing development capacity around projects like Auckland's City Rail Link.
  • Supporters argued it streamlines consenting, enforcement, and compliance, and makes it easier for councils to delist heritage buildings that hinder development.
Why oppose it
  • Opponents argued significant changes, including extending special consenting privileges to thermal and natural gas, were introduced by a late Amendment Paper without proper select committee scrutiny or debate.
  • Opponents said the bill shifts the RMA's focus toward development and economics at the expense of its environmental purpose, citing new ministerial powers to intervene in or stop council plans.
  • Opponents argued a change to section 70 would allow regional councils to permit discharges containing floatable or suspended material, and that hazard protections were weakened by exempting infrastructure.

These are claims MPs made in Parliament’s debate — not verified facts.

Full bill summary & link to official bill page

This government bill amends the Resource Management Act 1991 to make gaining resource consents faster, cheaper and more predictable, especially for infrastructure, renewable energy, housing and primary industries. Changes include longer default consent durations and lapse periods, tighter decision timeframes for renewable-energy projects, limits on the information councils can demand, letting applicants see draft conditions, and holding hearings only when necessary. It also lets councils opt out of medium-density housing standards and adjusts how natural-hazard risk is assessed for some activities.

It is an interim reform ahead of a broader replacement of the RMA. Supporters argue the current system is slow and costly, and that streamlining unlocks housing, energy projects and economic growth. Critics, including environmental groups, warn that faster consenting and longer durations weaken environmental safeguards and public participation, and that reducing hazard assessment could raise risks in a changing climate.

See the Parliament.nz ↗ site for the full bill.

Oppose (No) Support (Yes)

Resource Management (Consenting and Other System Changes) Amendment Bill · Third Reading, 14 Aug 2025
Parliament voted 68–54 — it passed.