The reforms
The current Government has a significant programme of reform underway that will impact how local government will function in the future.
Local Water Done Well
Councils are developing Water Services Delivery Plans to show how they will deliver financially sustainable water services to manage our drinking, waste, and storm water. The proposals provide a pathway towards setting up water services entities controlled by councils and enabling a new, financially sustainable model for water care.
Learn more about Local Water Done Well here: Water Services Policy legislation and process – dia.govt.nz
Resource Management Act
The Government is reforming the Resource Management system in three phases:
Phase I – complete
Natural and Built Environment Act; and the Spatial Planning Act – both repealed in December 2025.
Phase 2 –
The Fast-track Approvals Bill introduced in March 2024 and due back from select committee late 2024.
Targeted changes to the Resource Management Act (RMA) via Bill 1 introduced in May 2024 with select committee report back due late 2024.
- Bill 2 to be introduced late 2024 aimed at four key packages: delivering high quality infrastructure and doubling amount of renewable energy; unlocking development capacity for housing; enabling farming and primary sector growth; and improving emergencies and natural hazards provisions. Consultation to be directed by select committee, likely end of 2024.
National direction changes: 14 existing national direction instruments (NES and NPS) are being amended, and seven new national direction instruments created. Formal consultation early 2025.
A finalised Bill 2, along with Cabinet decisions on new and amended national direction expected mid-2025.
Phase 3 –
The RMA will be replaced with new legislation based on the enjoyment of property rights, expected to be introduced mid-2025.
The resource management systems reform represents a significant opportunity for transformative and systemic change. Taituarā and LGNZ will be advocating for councils to ensure that the new legislation is fit for purpose; and that local government compliance costs for implementing the proposed changes are carefully considered and consulted on.
Learn more about the Resource Management System Reform here.
Building Act
The Government is contemplating significant reform of the building consent system targeting councils’ regulatory processes. The aim is to make it easier to build.
Building Consent Authorities (BCAs) within councils ensure compliance with legislation and the building code. They provide surety around structural integrity, fire safety, accessibility, and energy efficiency.
The role of the BCA contributes to creating houses that are safe and habitable. They provide expertise and guidance through building inspections and ensure buildings comply with the plans. They mitigate risks of people living in substandard homes and prevent costly rework, delays or legal issues that may arise from non-compliance. They ensure confidence and assurance in a building project and provides a layer of checking which deters fraud.
Learn more about reform of the building consent system https://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/reforming-building-consent-system
Regulation
The Government has established a Ministry for Regulation to strengthen the regulatory management system and improve regulatory quality in New Zealand. Its purpose is to lift quality across all regulatory systems and ensure agencies with regulatory responsibilities follow best practice. The Ministry for Regulation will be identifying Governmental and Local Government regulations that are not working well or superfluous and bringing in reform.