Planning System Transition Information

Moving from the Resource Management Act to a New Planning System

The Government has introduced new planning legislation that will replace the Resource Management Act 1991 (RMA). The new legislation includes the Planning Act and Natural Environment Act, which will change the way planning and resource consenting are carried out in New Zealand.

Over time, the current District Plan will be replaced by a new planning framework prepared under the new legislation. This work is not expected to commence for some time.

Because these changes are significant, a transition period has been established to allow Councils, applicants and the wider community time to move to the new system.

When does the transition period begin?

The transition period will begin on 30 October 2026 and is expected to continue for several years.

During this time, resource consent applications will continue to be processed under the RMA, but some changes will apply to how applications are assessed.

What does this mean for resource consents?

From 30 October 2026, certain matters can no longer be considered when assessing resource consent applications. These matters include:

Residential development

When assessing applications for residential activities, the following matters must generally be disregarded:

• The area of glazing.
• The presence or absence of balconies.
• Outdoor living space.
• The internal layout of a building.
• The size of a residential unit.
• The size of landscaped areas, except where permeability is relevant.

Other matters that must be disregarded

The following matters must also be disregarded when assessing applications:

• Effects on trade competition, including effects on competing providers of goods and services.
• Effects on retail distribution.
• For a project, whether there is demand for the activity or whether it is financially viable.
• The type of residents who may occupy a development.
• Views from private property.

Applications lodged before 30 October 2026

Applications lodged before the commencement of the transition period will continue to be assessed under the District Plan and RMA provisions that applied at the time the application was lodged.

If you wish for your application to be assessed under the transitional provisions, you may withdraw your existing application and submit a new application. No additional application fee will be charged.

Before withdrawing an application, please discuss the implications with your agent or the planner assessing your application.

How will the District Plan be affected?

The District Plan will remain operative during the transition period.

Closer to the commencement of the transition period, Council will identify the relevant District Plan provisions that can no longer be considered when assessing resource consent applications under the transitional arrangements.

There may also be legislative assessment requirements that are not specifically reflected in the District Plan itself.

Council may update the District Plan or will provide clear guidance material during the transition period to clearly identify affected provisions and reflect legislative changes.

Council will provide further guidance as new information becomes available.

More information

Council is continuing to work through the implications of the new planning legislation and will update this webpage as further guidance becomes available.

Please note: Information relating to the transition to the new planning system may change as further guidance and implementation requirements are released.

Contact Us

For questions relating to resource consents and the transition to the new planning system, please call 0800 111 323 or email planning@stdc.govt.nz and a member of the team will be in touch as soon as possible.