TCDC calls for local flexibility in Resource Management Act reform
Published on 10 December 2025
Thames-Coromandel District Council (TCDC) welcomes the opportunity to provide feedback to the government on the reforms to the Resource Management Act (RMA) announced yesterday.
RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop said the National Planning Bill and the National Environment Bill were introduced to Parliament yesterday and will be passed into law next year. They two Bills will replace the Resource Management Act 1991. Mr Bishop said the reforms aim to simplify planning, reduce duplication, and provide clearer frameworks for managing land use and environmental protection.
“The reforms will have direct and major impacts on how the Coromandel’s natural resources, our coastal marine area, our highly valued landscapes, our places and spaces are managed, protected and used,” says Councillor Robyn Sinclair, TCDC’s Environment portfolio holder.
“There will be impacts on how development and growth across housing, business and all our economic sectors and the supporting infrastructure are managed,” says Ms Sinclair.
“Our Council acknowledges the government’s objectives to unlock growth, reduce infrastructure costs, protect the environment, and improve resilience while giving landowners greater certainty,” says Ms Sinclair “These are commendable goals, but the devil is in the detail.
“We will carefully review how the Bills balance development with the protection of the Coromandel’s unique landscapes, cultural sites, and natural resources,” says Ms Sinclair.
The proposed system introduces one regional spatial plan, nationally consistent standards, and a shift from consenting to monitoring and enforcement.
“While simplification makes sense, our Council will advocate for flexibility to address local issues and ensure strong community input,” Ms Sinclair says.
Communities in the Coromandel have high exposure to natural hazard risk and the effects of climate change. Council staff will look at how the Bills will help to address these challenges. Pending amendments to the Climate Change Response Act have not been made public yet. Council will need to look at how those amendments interface with the two Bills.
“The Coromandel is a special place, and we need to make sure these reforms protect what makes it unique. We will focus on whether the Bills ensure that our natural resources continue to be appropriately recognised, valued and protected,” Ms Sinclair says.
“Transitioning to the new framework will require significant investment and collaboration between central, regional, and local government as new national, regional and local plans, consenting and compliance systems are rolled out,” says Ms Sinclair. “It’s important to create a firm foundation for the new system from the start. We’ll be looking to ensure that the frameworks to do this are as streamlined as they can be, while allowing sufficient time to implement fit-for-purpose plans and processes.”
Members of the public will have the opportunity to provide feedback on the legislation through the Select Committee process.
In the meantime, the consultation on the government’s local government reform proposals announced two weeks ago are open until 20 February 2026 through the Department of Internal Affairs website.