Moving from the RMA to the new planning system - first steps
On 30 September 2026, the Government passed new planning laws to replace the Resource Management Act (RMA). The new laws are the 'Planning Act' and the 'Natural Environment Act'.
The scale of change involved means the new laws are coming into force (i.e. must be complied with) in a phased manner.
- Some provisions relating to the making of new regional spatial plans and land use plans (which will replace our Manawatū District Plan in a few years time) are already in force.
- Changes to how some RMA resource consent applications are assessed over the ‘transition period’ come into force from 30 October 2026 and will run for some time (likely until late 2029).
What the transition period means for resource consents
During this time resource consent applications will continue to be processed under the RMA, but there will be some changes to how applications are assessed.
From 30 October 2026, when assessing applications for residential activities, the following effects must be disregarded:
- the area of glazing
- the presence or absence of balconies
- outdoor living space
- internal layout
- the size of a residential unit
- the size of landscaped areas except, in relation to permeability.
However, these effects are still relevant to applications relating to historic heritage buildings.
The following effects must also be disregarded and relate to all types of land use activities:
- negative effects of development on trade competition, including on competing providers of input goods and services
- effects on retail distribution
- for a project, any lack of demand for the project or whether the project is financially viable
- the type of residents to be housed in a new development
- views from private property.
Any resource consent decisions will decisions will reflect these changes. Please note that if your activity only has non-compliances that relate to effects that must be disregarded, your activity may be deemed to be permitted, and you will be provided with a notice to this effect.
Applications lodged before the 30 October 2026
All applications lodged before 30 October 2026 must be assessed against the existing District Plan provisions as though no changes to the law have been made.
If you have already lodged an application and want your application to be assessed under the amended RMA provisions, you may wish to withdraw it and lodge a new application.
Potential upcoming changes to the Manawatū District Plan
We anticipate striking out or removing provisions from the Manawatū District Plan which relate solely to effects which can no longer consider.
The first round of changes will concern the effects listed above. However, please note there may also be changes to how resource consent applications will be assessed that may not be reflected in the District Plan.
Consideration is also being given to whether there should be second round of changes to the Manawatū District Plan to remove a slightly broader range of matters which Section 17 of the Planning Act says cannot be considered in future plans (such as the appearance of buildings).
Contacts
If you are about to lodge an application for a resource consent (or have recently done so) and have questions about these changes, please contact the person or planner who prepared your application.
For general queries, please contact the duty planner at the Manawatū District Council. please phone 06 323 0000 or email planning@mdc.govt.nz to arrange an appointment. This will help ensure the appropriate planner is available and prepared to discuss your enquiry.