You can download a copy of the report here.
EDS’s latest report exploring the fundamental questions for ‘phase 3’ resource management law reform was launched in Auckland and Wellington in early September 2025.
The report is intended to inform the government’s efforts to replace the RMA with two new laws: a Planning Act and a Natural Environment Act. It follows previous policy work on resource management reform which can be viewed on our website here.
The report, authored by Dr Greg Severinsen and informed by international comparators, critiques seven key shifts envisaged for a future system, and offers workable solutions.
- A narrower scope
- Splitting the RMA into statutes for planning and environment
- A new framework for regulatory takings
- A new set of purposes and principles
- A framework for environmental limits
- Statutory spatial planning
- A more standardised system.
Auckland Report Launch
The Auckland launch included a presentation by Dr Greg Severinsen, followed by a panel discussion with:
- Simon Court, Parliamentary Under-Secretary for RMA Reform
- Liz Moncrieff, Lead Advocacy Officer, New Zealand Planning Institute (NZPI)
- John Duguid, General Manager, Planning and Resource Consents, Auckland Council
- Alan McDonald, Head of Advocacy & Strategy, Employers & Manufacturers Association (EMA).
Date: Monday 1 September 2025
Wellington Report Launch
The Wellington launch included a presentation by Dr Greg Severinsen, commentary from Hon Rachel Brooking, Labour Spokesperson for the Environment & RMA Reform, followed by Q&A.
Date: Wednesday 3 September 2025
You can purchase a copy of the report via our bookstore here.
Thanks go to Forest and Bird and the Borrin Foundation for supporting this work.
Our thanks to Bell Gully for their support of these launch events.