COUNCIL PREPARE FOR CHANGES TO RESOURCE MANAGEMENT RULES

Ōtorohanga District Council is encouraging anyone planning a building or development project to familiarise themselves with changes to the Resource Management Act (RMA), which take effect today, 30 October 2026.

The changes are part of the Government's wider reform of the resource management system, following the introduction of the Planning Act 2026 and Natural Environment Act 2026.

While the new legislation will eventually replace the RMA, the existing system will remain in place during the transition. For residents, developers and businesses, the way resource consent applications are submitted will remain the same. However, from 30 October, councils will be required to disregard certain matters when assessing district land-use consent applications. These include some aspects of residential design, views from private properties, effects on trade competition and retail distribution, financial viability, demand for a project and the type of residents who may live in a development.

Council will continue considering other relevant environmental effects and whether there is demand for a proposed development.

The changes are intended to simplify the consenting process and provide greater clarity about the matters councils can consider.

Planning Manager Jaime McLellan says the most important message for anyone planning a project is to check what the changes mean before getting started. "While some of the rules around assessing resource consents are changing, the application process remains the same.”

"Our District Plan will continue to apply, and some projects will still need resource consent. We encourage anyone planning a development or changes to their property to talk with their Council's planning team if they're unsure.”

"We know changes to planning rules can be confusing, and we're here to help people understand what they mean for their projects."

Applications lodged before 30 October 2026 will continue to be assessed under the provisions that applied when they were submitted. Existing resource consents will also remain valid, subject to their terms and any applicable legislative changes.

Ōtorohanga District Council is reviewing their District Plans to identify provisions affected by the legislative changes and will provide further information as the transition progresses.

ENDS