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Resource Management Act (RMA) stories

Reform costs mounting for North Canterbury councils
Local Government

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 Local Democracy Reporter • 3 min read • 3 days ago
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 Local Democracy Reporter • 5 min read • 4 days ago
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 week
More than 650 properties under investigation in Mackenzie
Local Government

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 Local Democracy Reporter • 3 min read • Last week
Spatial planning could impose high costs on small North Canterbury councils
Local Government

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 Local Democracy Reporter • 4 min read • This month
Is your home ready for a heatwave?
Auckland Council

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 RNZ • 4 min read • This 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 Local Democracy Reporter • 2 min read • This 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 Local Democracy Reporter • 4 min read • Last month
'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 Local Democracy Reporter • 3 min read • Last month
Horizons calls halt to 11 iwi partnership processes ahead of RMA repeal
Māori

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 Local Democracy Reporter • 4 min read • Last month
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 Local Democracy Reporter • 3 min read • Last month
Infrastructure Minister rules out pause on Fast-track housing developments in Canterbury
Local Government

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 Local Democracy Reporter • 4 min read • Last month
'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 Local Democracy Reporter • 3 min read • Last month
Emotional scenes as Tararua council votes to expand for population growth
Local Government

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 Local Democracy Reporter • 3 min read • Last month
New Zealand opens second round of EV charger loans
Meridian Energy

New Zealand opens second round of EV charger loans

About 10,000 public charge points by 2030 remain the target as the Government adds NZD $21 million to spur chargers in underserved areas.

By Sean Mitchell • 4 min read • Last month
Qualified to comment – if it ain’t broke . .
Data Analytics

Qualified to comment – if it ain’t broke . .

Frustration with central government inertia and costly reforms underpins a 50-year local government career that spans planning, ratings and Auckland amalgamation.

By Staff Writer • 3 min read • Mon, 2nd Feb 2026
Qualified to comment - if it ain't broke
Auckland Council

Qualified to comment - if it ain't broke

Central government delays on planning reform have left councils wrestling with rules Leigh Auton says could have been avoided decades ago.

By Staff Writer • 3 min read • Mon, 2nd Feb 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 • This month