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Resource Management Act (RMA) Stories

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Resource Management Act (RMA) stories

National unveils nine-point energy plan to tackle power bills
Data centers

National unveils nine-point energy plan to tackle power bills

Households could get cheaper, more flexible power deals as National proposes new rules to boost competition and rein in network charges.

By Giles Dexter • 4 min read • Last week
Gisborne housing plan change: 35 of 859 submission points misclassified
Urban Planning

Gisborne housing plan change: 35 of 859 submission points misclassified

Errors in Gisborne District Council's housing plan summary have forced a limited reopening of submissions on proposed medium-density zoning changes.

By Imogen Brophy • 3 min read • Last month
Auckland CBD height limits could be scrapped
Real estate

Auckland CBD height limits could be scrapped

The proposal could unlock 17,000 extra homes in Auckland's city centre while leaving viewshafts, sunlight and heritage rules intact.

By RNZ • 2 min read • Last month
Reform costs mounting for North Canterbury councils
Urban Planning

Reform costs mounting for North Canterbury councils

Reform costs are already uneven across North Canterbury, with Waimakariri spending nearly GBP £129,000 and Hurunui just GBP £5,500.

By David Hill • 3 min read • Last month
Councils face squeezing multi-million spatial plan bill under rates cap
Housing

Councils face squeezing multi-million spatial plan bill under rates cap

Ratepayers could face higher bills as Canterbury councils prepare a mandatory regional spatial plan estimated at GBP £7 million to GBP £10 million.

By Jonathan Leask • 5 min read • Last month
Port of Tauranga will almost double its handling capacity following fast-track approval
Supply Chain

Port of Tauranga will almost double its handling capacity following fast-track approval

New wharves and dredging will ease congestion at New Zealand's biggest cargo port, after approval for a long-delayed expansion.

By RNZ • 2 min read • Last month
More than 650 properties under investigation in Mackenzie
Urban Planning

More than 650 properties under investigation in Mackenzie

Fears over housing pressure have prompted the Mackenzie District Council to inspect 655 short-term accommodation properties for rule breaches.

By Claire Taylor • 3 min read • Last month
Spatial planning could impose high costs on small North Canterbury councils
Urban Planning

Spatial planning could impose high costs on small North Canterbury councils

Ratepayers in Kaikōura and Hurunui may face increases to cover Canterbury's spatial plan, with costs running into hundreds of thousands of dollars.

By David Hill • 4 min read • Last month
Is your home ready for a heatwave?
Housing

Is your home ready for a heatwave?

Auckland homes face longer, hotter summers, with new research warning heatwaves could nearly double and indoor overheating is already a problem.

By Alexia Russell • 4 min read • Last month
Consents backlog whittled down but some waiting ten years
Licensing

Consents backlog whittled down but some waiting ten years

Long-delayed mining and resource applications are still pending on the West Coast, though the council has cut the queue to 43 from 199.

By Vihan Dalal • 2 min read • Last month
Rates cap will put squeeze on community groups, facilities - Marlborough deputy mayor
National Party

Rates cap will put squeeze on community groups, facilities - Marlborough deputy mayor

Funding for sports facilities and community grants could be cut as Marlborough council tries to stay within a 4% rates cap.

By Kira Carrington • 4 min read • Wed, 26th Aug 2026
'Pull the plug': Government reforms could halt new Hawke's Bay water rules
Climate change

'Pull the plug': Government reforms could halt new Hawke's Bay water rules

Farmers may dodge tighter water limits as Hawke's Bay councillors weigh shelving the Tank plan amid government reforms.

By Linda Hall • 3 min read • Wed, 26th Aug 2026
Horizons calls halt to 11 iwi partnership processes ahead of RMA repeal
Urban Planning

Horizons calls halt to 11 iwi partnership processes ahead of RMA repeal

Council officers say the scrapped agreements will save little time, but leave 14 iwi entities facing uncertainty over future participation rights.

By Moana Ellis • 4 min read • Wed, 26th Aug 2026
Wainui coastal adaptation plan put on hold
Climate change

Wainui coastal adaptation plan put on hold

Council plans for Wainui Beach erosion risks have been paused under plan stop legislation, delaying work until the new system is in place.

By Imogen Brophy • 3 min read • Wed, 26th Aug 2026
Infrastructure Minister rules out pause on Fast-track housing developments in Canterbury
Urban Planning

Infrastructure Minister rules out pause on Fast-track housing developments in Canterbury

Canterbury councils say fast-track housing could strain local infrastructure, after the minister rejected their call for a pause and review.

By David Hill • 4 min read • Thu, 20th Aug 2026
'We have to push back': Mackenzie residents meet over solar expansion
Clean technologies

'We have to push back': Mackenzie residents meet over solar expansion

Residents fear fast-tracked solar farms could reshape the Mackenzie District without local say, prompting calls for pushback and compensation.

By Claire Taylor • 3 min read • Mon, 17th Aug 2026
Emotional scenes as Tararua council votes to expand for population growth
Urban Planning

Emotional scenes as Tararua council votes to expand for population growth

The district's residential and industrial land shortage could bite within 25 years, prompting public consultation on rezoning in its main centres.

By Rebecca Hogan • 3 min read • Thu, 13th Aug 2026

Global Stories

Resource Management Act (RMA) stories

AfterShip launches AI tool for post-purchase retail
Software-as-a-Service

AfterShip launches AI tool for post-purchase retail

Retailers could cut support costs and speed refunds as AfterShip's new AI agent automates delivery issues and return reviews.

By Joseph Gabriel Lagonsin • 4 min read • Last month