Legislation – “Transformational reform” to resource management arrives – BusinessNZ

Source: BusinessNZ The Government’s introduction of two Bills to replace the current Resource Management Act (RMA) is transformational and should result in fewer consents required to unlock development while protecting what matters, BusinessNZ says. Chief Executive Katherine Rich says the next step will be securing broad support for the changes, which will streamline the approach to … Read more

Legislation – RMA reform a positive step forward for New Zealand – EMA

Source: EMA The two new Acts that make up today’s Resource Management Act (RMA) reform announcement will provide impetus to economic, business and infrastructure development while also providing environmental guardrails that were lacking in the previous Act, says the EMA. “The EMA has been at the core of a group of associations pushing for and working … Read more

Legislation – New environment law cuts red tape for farmers – Federated Farmers

Source: Federated Farmers Today’s release of the Natural Environment Bill and Planning Bill to replace the Resource Management Act is a red letter day for the agricultural sector, Federated Farmers says. “The RMA is the single biggest handbrake on growing agricultural productivity and rural economies. It’s great to see its end come one step closer,” Federated … Read more

Federated Farmers: Government ends consenting crisis

Source: Federated Farmers Federated Farmers is welcoming news that the Government will be taking urgent steps to end the spiraling consenting crisis that has been hammering farmers and rural communities. “This is a really practical and pragmatic step from the Government that will be a relief for thousands of farming families,” says Federated Farmers vice president … Read more

Fewer gulls, fewer squawks: Tūrangi spared rooftop mayhem

Source: NZ Department of Conservation Date:  09 December 2025 In 2023 a large colony of black-billed gulls nested in Tūrangi town centre, leaving a generous layer of guano on cars, rooftops, and around businesses. This year, just 15 birds have decided to make the town centre their temporary home. Department of Conservation Biodiversity Ranger Sarah Tunnicliffe … Read more

Landowners to get more compensation from councils as major RMA overhaul revealed

Source: Radio New Zealand RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop RNZ / Mark Papalii The coalition’s replacement of the Resource Management Act (RMA) will force councils to compensate landowners for significant restrictions that impact developments. It will be an additional challenge for councils facing rising costs and widespread changes in other areas, including restrictions on what … Read more

East Auckland homicide: Police seeking Adrian Pani for murder

Source: New Zealand Police Police are releasing details of a dangerous man sought in connection with the homicide in east Auckland last night. He is 36-year-old Adrian Pani, and Police advise the public to not approach him. A homicide investigation has been underway since Monday night, 8 December. Detective Inspector Glenn Baldwin, of Auckland City … Read more

New system to make planning easier for everyone

Source: New Zealand Government New Zealand’s new planning system will be easier for local government to use and navigate and deliver better value for ratepayers, say RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop and Local Government Minister Simon Watts. “Last month, the Government announced proposals for the biggest changes to local government since 1989, including how we … Read more

Transitioning to the new planning system

Source: New Zealand Government The Government is taking steps to ensure a smooth and fair transition to New Zealand’s new planning and environmental management system, RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop and Under-Secretary Simon Court say. Mr Bishop says the transition arrangements will include additional legislation to extend existing consents which will be passed under urgency … Read more

Boosting renewable energy through planning reform

Source: New Zealand Government New Zealand’s new planning system will accelerate renewable energy projects and unlock the country’s clean energy potential, Energy Minister Simon Watts says. Mr Watts says New Zealand has some of the best renewable energy resources in the world, but the current planning system has made it far too slow and costly … Read more

Former Assistant Commissioner breaks silence after scathing police report

Source: Radio New Zealand RNZ / Samuel Rillstone Former Assistant Commissioner Paul Basham has broken his silence following the scathing report by the police watchdog. The Independent Police Conduct Authority’s report, released last month, found serious misconduct at the highest levels of police over how they handled accusations of sexual offending by former Deputy Commissioner … Read more

Aviation Security – CAA urges travellers to carry power banks and spare lithium batteries with them

Source: Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) 9 December 2025 – Travellers are being reminded that spare lithium batteries must be correctly packed in carry-on only. This aligns New Zealand with similar efforts by global aviation regulators and airlines. Lithium batteries can overheat and catch fire. If this happens in the cabin, crew can deal with it quickly … Read more

RMA replacement to reduce costs and drive on-farm growth

Source: New Zealand Government Farmers and growers will spend less time burdened with unnecessary paperwork and more time farming under New Zealand’s new planning system, Agriculture Minister Todd McClay and Associate Environment Minister Andrew Hoggard say. The Government is replacing the Resource Management Act 1991 (RMA) with two new bills: a Planning Bill that enables development … Read more

Planning reform to unlock housing growth

Source: New Zealand Government The Government’s new planning system will make it significantly easier to build the homes New Zealand needs and give homeowners greater freedom to improve and use their own property, RMA Reform and Housing Minister Chris Bishop says. “For too long, the Resource Management Act 1991 (RMA) has acted as a handbrake … Read more

Cutting red tape to deliver the infrastructure New Zealand needs

Source: New Zealand Government The Government’s new planning system will make it much easier and quicker to deliver the infrastructure New Zealand needs, while giving councils, investors and communities greater certainty about what can be built and where, RMA Reform and Infrastructure Minister Chris Bishop and Under-Secretary Simon Court say. “New Zealand’s new planning system … Read more

A better planning system for a better New Zealand

Source: New Zealand Government New Zealand’s new planning system will make it easier to build the homes and infrastructure our country needs, give farmers and growers the freedom to get on with producing world-class food and fibre, and strengthen our primary sector while protecting the environment, RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop and Under-Secretary Simon Court … Read more

Planning overhaul to unlock growth

Source: New Zealand Government A sweeping overhaul of planning rules will unlock economic growth and help build a stronger New Zealand, Finance Minister Nicola Willis and RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop say. Nicola Willis says the reforms are central to the Government’s focus on creating jobs and lifting incomes.  “To improve living standards and keep … Read more

Digging deep as bridge foundations take shape at SH35 Hikuwai

Source: New Zealand Transport Agency Construction on the new Hikuwai No. 1 Bridge on State Highway 35 (SH35) has reached a significant milestone, with piling works now underway, laying the foundations for a stronger, more resilient connection for East Coast communities. The piling marks a major step forward in the permanent replacement of the original … Read more

Victory for Kiwi jobs as Government rejects foreign cement ship exemption

Source: Maritime Union of New Zealand The Maritime Union of New Zealand today welcomed the decision by Associate Transport Minister James Meager to decline NovaAlgoma Cement Carriers’ (NACC) application to operate a foreign-flagged vessel carrying Holcim cement on the New Zealand coast. The failed application for an exemption under Section 198 of the Maritime Transport … Read more

Luxon backs Hipkins in McSkimming saga, NZ First casts doubt

Source: Radio New Zealand Speaking to reporters on Tuesday morning, Luxon said he “absolutely” believed Hipkins over Coster. RNZ Prime Minister Christopher Luxon says he accepts Chris Hipkins’ word Andrew Coster never briefed him about the Jevon McSkimming scandal. But New Zealand First is casting doubt on the claim, posting on social media: “is it … Read more

Luxon backs Hikpins in McSkimming saga, NZ First casts doubt

Source: Radio New Zealand Speaking to reporters on Tuesday morning, Luxon said he “absolutely” believed Hipkins over Coster. RNZ Prime Minister Christopher Luxon says he accepts Chris Hipkins’ word Andrew Coster never briefed him about the Jevon McSkimming scandal. But New Zealand First is casting doubt on the claim, posting on social media: “is it … Read more

Dive squad joins search for swimmer missing near Bethells Beach

Source: Radio New Zealand Police are searching for a swimmer after he went missing in a lake on Auckland’s west coast. The 23-year-old man was in waist-deep water with three friends at Lake Wainamu in Bethells Beach on Monday when he got into difficulty. Police said the man had taken a few steps before falling … Read more

Arms Bill introduced to deliver better firearms law

Source: New Zealand Government The Government has introduced the Arms Bill to Parliament, bringing New Zealand one step closer to fairer, fit for purpose firearms laws, says Associate Justice Minister Nicole McKee. “This marks the final phase of reform of New Zealand’s firearms laws, building on earlier work to strengthen Firearms Prohibition Orders and improve … Read more

Buying a car? Check the stars

Source: New Zealand Transport Agency NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA) has updated the safety ratings for used vehicles on Rightcar.govt.nz. People are twice as safe in a 5-star safety-rated vehicle compared to a 1-star vehicle. Based on data analysed by the Monash University Accident Research Centre (MUARC), this year’s ratings draw from 9.5 million … Read more

PSA opposes ministry job cuts amidst restructure

Source: Radio New Zealand The ministry said this was in line with the government’s push for efficiency and effectiveness 123rf The Public Service Associations says it has formally raised with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs staff concerns about high workloads in what it calls “a period of instability”. An MFAT report shows it shed seven … Read more

Media advisory: East Auckland homicide investigation

Source: New Zealand Police Media are advised that Police will hold a stand-up this afternoon regarding the homicide investigation in east Auckland. Detective Inspector Glenn Baldwin will speak to media at Auckland City Police Hub, on Hargreaves Street, at 12.15pm. Media are asked to RSVP to media@police.govt.nz as the stand-up will be held inside the … Read more

Employment bill is worst attack on workers in decades

Source: NZCTU The NZCTU Te Kauae Kaimahi is condemning select committee changes to the Employment Relations Amendment Bill, which would give bad employers an even greater ability to exploit workers. “This legislation is one of the most anti-worker bills in New Zealand history, and shockingly the Bill as reported back from select committee will make … Read more