Source: New Zealand Government
Targeted changes to New Plymouth’s District Plan will make it easier for homeowners and developers to build, alter homes, and make better use of land, while removing unnecessary consenting requirements and other planning barriers to growth, RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop says.
“Planning rules should support growth, enable development, and avoid imposing unnecessary costs and delays that hold back investment and jobs.”
The changes follow an investigation under section 360I of the Resource Management Act 1991 (RMA), including consultation with affected parties and the public, and consideration of feedback received. The investigation was initiated in February 2026 following a request from the Mayor of New Plymouth.
“The investigation found that a number of provisions in the New Plymouth District Plan are negatively impacting economic growth and development outcomes,” Mr Bishop says.
“Following consultation and careful consideration of the feedback received, I have decided to progress a package of targeted amendments to address those issues.
“The changes will amend provisions relating to eaves and residential building coverage controls, outlook space requirements for dwellings, outdoor living space requirements, disability parking requirements, minimum driveway width requirements, maximum earthworks cut depths and fill heights, alterations to existing structures, living activities in the Mixed-Use Zone, and the definition of the indicative road transport network.
“These are practical and targeted changes that will remove unnecessary consenting requirements, reduce costs for applicants, and improve the overall efficiency of the planning system while maintaining appropriate environmental safeguards.”
The consultation process received 20 submissions, which were carefully considered as part of the decision-making process.
“After considering all of the available information, I am satisfied that these provisions are having a negative impact on economic growth, development capacity or employment.” Mr Bishop says.
“The Government is focused on ensuring planning rules support investment, development and employment while avoiding unnecessary costs and delays.
“The targeted changes to the New Plymouth District Plan will help improve the efficiency of the planning system and reduce barriers to growth.”
The New Plymouth District Council provided a formal response to the investigation report on 7 August 2026.
The Government will now progress regulations being drafted before returning to Cabinet with draft regulations for approval.
Notes to editors
- The Resource Management Act 1991 (the RMA) allows the Minister Responsible for RMA Reform to modify or remove plan provisions that are negatively affecting economic growth, development capacity or employment.
- Twenty submissions were received during consultation. Fifty per cent supported the amendments, 40 per cent opposed them, and 10 per cent were partially supportive and partially opposed.
- The Government intends to implement the changes through regulations under sections 360I to 360O of the RMA.
Original source: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/10/02/government-progresses-plan-changes-to-enable-growth-for-new-plymouth/