Resource Management Act reforms w/ the ACT Party’s Simon Court: 19 October 2026

The government has passed two new acts — The Planning Act (2026) and the Natural Environment Act (2026) that aim to replace the Resource Management Act 1991 in the biggest change to New Zealand’s planning system in decades. The RMA reforms will remove existing Mana Whakahono ā Rohe agreements between councils and iwi; require councils to compensate private owners for environmental rules which impact their profits; and despite major public concerns, decentralise environmental considerations during planning. Wire Host Sara spoke with ACT Party MP Simon Court about the impact of these RMA changes.