The Planning Act 2026 and the Natural Environment Act 2026 received Royal Assent on 30 September 2026. Over the next four years, these Acts will replace the RMA.
But for now, we will still be operating under the RMA while the new system takes shape and key documents are created. This "transitional" period will be critical for system users who will need to make strategic calls about which version of the planning system is best for their projects, and to engage in the processes that will influence the shape of the new system.
The election results may change some aspects of the new system, but we don't expect the new Acts will be thrown out the window after November if there is a change in Government.
1. Don't just wait for the new system to unlock your project – consider whether the current settings are best for you
The reality is the new framework won't kick into gear for at least another 3 years. Until then, the RMA (with some fresh, helpful amendments) will apply.
Any RMA application lodged during the transition period will be decided under the RMA in force when it was lodged - making timing of lodgement an important lever. Valid consents at the time of transition will roll over to be recognised as consents under the new system.
For each project, our advice is to consider whether lodging and securing consent during the transition period under the amended RMA is better than waiting for the new regime to take effect for your activity, and if it is (it may be), get your application in. Consider fast-track as well.
2. The amended RMA is a better RMA for many developers – adjust accordingly
From the end of this month, consent authorities assessing land use applications must disregard a range of effects, including retail distribution, views from private property and the demand for, or financial viability of, a project. Councils can't request further information on those matters, and can give notice that an activity is permitted despite non-compliance with a rule or standard on those now out-of-scope matters.
If you have recently lodged an application where one of these effects was going to be material to the consideration of your project, it may be worth withdrawing and relodging that application to have it assessed under the amended RMA.
From the end of this month, councils will also be required to balance having enough information to make an informed decision against the scale and significance of the matter and the cost and feasibility of providing information. This will be helpful to guard against never-ending or unnecessary further information requests.
3. Consent extensions buy time, not certainty
Most RMA consents currently due to expire before the new system kicks in will be automatically extended to expire two years after the transition period ends. Any consent holders with reconsenting applications underway can also ask for those applications to be suspended.
That means many consent holders will not be required to reconsent during the transition. The extension doesn't apply to some types of consents (particularly consents related to the construction and operation of a wastewater network), so make sure you know whether the extension applies to your consent. The extension also cannot extend a water related consent beyond 35 years.
4. Private plan changes – watch the clock!
Any private plan change not notified by 1 January 2028 will not be able to proceed without an exemption from the Minister.
Practically speaking, this means getting your private plan change application in asap, to ensure plenty of time for it to be accepted and notified.
The existing prohibition on council-led plan changes will continue, meaning a council can only change its plan with an exemption from the Minister.
5. We know reform is punishing, but hang in there
The beating heart of the new reforms is the development of new national and regional planning documents, including national policy direction and national standards on big ticket items like infrastructure, and spatial planning.
National policy direction is due to be notified early next year and finalised by September 2027, with national standards following soon after. Spatial plans will be developed to set a region's 30-year land use planning vision, and trigger notification of the new land use and natural environment plans.
It will be critical for landowners and infrastructure providers to actively engage in the development of national instruments and spatial plans, not just the plan stage – it will be too late by then. For those who engage, these new planning tools offer an important opportunity to influence a region's strategic goals. For requiring authorities, they also create a streamlined pathway for the inclusion of new designations.
Final thoughts
The transition from the RMA will not be a single event, but a series of strategic windows that open and close over the next few years. Those who treat it as a "wait and see" exercise risk losing the benefit of the amended RMA, missing the opportunities to influence the shape of the new system, and arriving at the plan hearings after the strategic direction has already been set. With the right planning, transition presents real opportunities.
The Environment & Planning team at Russell McVeagh is advising clients across the infrastructure, development, energy and primary sectors on transition strategy, consent portfolio reviews and engagement on national direction and spatial planning. If you would like to discuss what the transition means for you, please get in touch.