Providing a clearer framework for development and managing the effects on the natural environment in order to simplify, streamline, and planning, consenting and decision-making in the system

Delivering practical reforms that will restore confidence and reduce red tape, while still delivering environmental gains

Examining the latest developments in the Government reform of the Resource Management Act

- Exploring the proposed new Natural Environment Act
- Exploring the proposed new Planning Act

Delivering an updated national freshwater policy direction to ensure consistent, practical, and efficient freshwater management across New Zealand

Replacing the National Policy Statement for Freshwater Management 2020 and the National Environmental Standards for Freshwater

Simplifying Local Government – exploring the Government’s proposals to fundamentally change how we plan our cities and regions to strip out duplication in the system, standardise processes and drive down complexity and compliance costs

Exploring the abolition of Regional Councils and Regional Councillors and their replacement with new Combined Territories Boards (CTB) made up of mayors from the region’s city and district councils

Analysing the proposed criteria for regional reorganisation plans the potential role of the CTB in leading regional reorganisation plans

Giving councils greater flexibility to balance environmental goals with economic impacts and allow longer timeframes to reach targets where needed

Providing councils with the tools to improve environmental outcomes without unnecessarily harming businesses and the local economy

Assessing the requirements of the future streamlined planning system planning system with fewer plans, fewer consent categories, and fewer overall consents - what is the best way of delivering this?

Exploring different options for how councils across a region can best work together to deliver efficient and effective local infrastructure, public services, and regulatory functions

What is best way of delivering regional spatial and environmental planning?

Strengthening environmental compliance monitoring and enforcement – exploring options for the creation of a more consistent and effective approach to environmental safeguarding and delivering environmental regulation, resource management and freshwater planning

Creating a potential national compliance and enforcement regulator

Exploring The Resource Management (Consenting and Other System Changes) Amendment Act 2025 (Amendment Act)

What are the new regulation-making powers introduced?

Discussing changes to the enforcement provisions

Examining the restrictions on council-led plan changes under the Resource Management Act

Examining the restrictions on council-led plan changes under the Resource Management Act

Improving natural hazard management – allowing Councils to respond faster to emerging risks and prevent development in hazard prone areas

Supporting increased intensification

Examining the proposal ‘packages’ of reforms consulted on:
- Package 1 – Infrastructure and Development
- Package 2 – Primary Sector
- Package 3 – Freshwater
- Package 4 - Going for Housing Growth

Introducing four proposed new National Policy Statements (NPS)

Why are Fast-Track Approvals getting a comprehensive overhaul after just a year?

Exploring the changes proposed to streamline the process and reduce timeframes with the aim of improving the general efficiency of the system

Examining the increased Ministerial oversight of the process provided within the FTAA and the potential impact of the and the Minister being able to declare regional and national benefits of certain infrastructure or development

Exploring what the reduction of mandatory consultation requirements will mean for applicants and those opposed to an application

Analysing the restrictions on the discretion of Expert Panels to invite comments and the changes to rights to appeal

Changes to address infrastructure-based barriers to consenting

How fast is the Fast-track process in practice?

Exploring the applications approved so far

Examining current projects in progress

Understanding the referral process and exploring projects that have been referred

Understanding the Expert panels process for independent decision-making for each Fast-track project

Examining the key lessons so far from implementation and from panel decisions

Examining the new Climate Adaptation Framework designed to ensure the country and economy are prepared for the growing risks from floods, storms and other natural hazards:

- Risks and response information sharing
- Roles and responsibilities
- Investment in risk reduction
- Cost-sharing pre-and post-event

Exploring the Frameworks four pillars and16 key actions designed to ensure New Zealand is prepared for the effects of climate change

Strengthening Māori climate resilience and Māori-led climate action through the Māori Climate Platform

Developing New Zealand’s first-ever National Flood Map

Exploring the latest updated emissions projections to 2050

Tightening the Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS)

Reducing the availability of emissions credits to restore integrity and market confidence in the ETS

Exploring the restriction on Farm‑to‑Forest Conversions within ETS

Analysing the Climate Change Commission’s first review of Aotearoa New Zealand’s 2050 emissions target

Resetting the 2050 biogenic methane target

Exploring the independent review of methane science and targets

Reviewing the prospect of including emissions from international shipping and aviation into the 2050 target