The 2025 Residential Development Summit drew over 300 industry leaders last week, bringing together key players in the residential development sector. Among the standout moments were speeches from Housing Minister Hon. Chris Bishop and Labour Party Housing Spokesperson Hon. Keiran McAnulty.
During the Summit, the Government confirmed its plans to scrap the Resource Management Act (RMA) and push ahead with sweeping reforms. For developers, this overhaul could be game-changing. Here’s what you need to know and what it means for your projects moving forward.
The RMA’s replacement: A more development-friendly system?
The RMA will be replaced by two new acts:
- A Planning Act – focusing on land-use planning and enabling development.
- A Natural Environment Act – regulating environmental impacts separately.
Key changes designed to speed up development and reduce red tape include:
- A nationally consistent framework that prevents councils from creating fragmented, restrictive rules.
- A starting presumption in favour of development – land use will be enabled unless there’s a significant environmental or neighbour impact.
- Protection for existing property rights, including the ability to expand activities where land is already zoned.
- Nationally standardised land-use zones to streamline consenting processes and reduce uncertainty.
- Fewer resource consents and simplified categories, making it easier and faster to get projects approved.
- A national compliance and enforcement regulator to ensure councils apply rules consistently across the country.
The Government estimates these changes will cut administrative and compliance costs by 45%, which would come as a welcome relief for developers battling excessive red tape.
What’s new? Key announcements from Minister Bishop
1. LUC3 land freed up for housing
One of the most significant announcements was the removal of Land Use Capability (LUC) Class 3 restrictions under the National Policy Statement for Highly Productive Land (NPS-HPL). This change is expected to free up land across Aotearoa equivalent to the size of the Waikato region for residential development.
However, the Government will consult on introducing “special agriculture zones” around key horticulture hubs like Pukekohe and Horowhenua to protect critical food production areas. This would protect LUC 1, 2 and 3 land when grouped together naturally. Developers should watch this space to understand how these zones might impact future land supply.
2. $100M in infrastructure funding for greenfield developments
Another significant announcement was the introduction of a new Greenfield Model, aimed to provide short-term financial support for infrastructure via National Infrastructure Funding and Financing Ltd (NIFFCo). Up to $100 million in lending will be available to developers for infrastructure under the Infrastructure Funding and Financing Act.
This funding is positioned as a stopgap measure while broader reforms shift the burden from Development Contributions (DCs) to Development Levies, a transition Minister Bishop acknowledges will take time.
What this means for developers
1. New rules, new opportunities
The replacement of the RMA signals a shift towards a more enabling planning system. Developers should stay engaged with consultations to help shape the new framework.
2. Greenfield projects get a boost:
The NIFFCo funding could make it easier to bring medium-sized greenfield developments (around 1,000 – 2,000 dwellings) to market. If you have projects in the pipeline, explore how to leverage this support.
3. Timeframes are tight
The Government wants both new Acts and the supporting national direction in place very quickly. Minister Bishop has signalled that local governments will begin implementing the new system from 2027.
4. Bipartisan support could make or break it
While both Bishop and McAnulty signalled openness to cross-party alignment, the extent of cooperation remains uncertain. A lack of bipartisan support could mean future reversals, so industry engagement is crucial.
How to stay involved
The Property Council is actively engaging with policymakers to ensure the industry’s voice is heard across the political spectrum. If you want to influence the reforms, consider joining our Resource Management System Taskforce (see below). Contact our Advocacy Team to get involved.
The future of development in New Zealand is being rewritten – make sure you’re part of the conversation.
About the Resource Management System Taskforce
The Resource Management System Taskforce aims to provide input into legislative changes or reforms to the resource management system that affect the property sector.
Property Council is honoured to work with members from across the property spectrum on this important issue, including:
- Anthea Coombes, Glaister Ennor
- Anton Shead, Goodman
- Bevan Houlbrooke, CKL NZ
- Cate Dwyer, Align
- Daniel Minhinnick, Russell McVeagh
- Daniel Shao, Woolworths
- Dasha Kovalenko, Lowndes Jordan
- Dave Moule, Boffa Miskell
- Jennifer Caldwell, Buddle Findlay
- Jonathan Manns, Te Toi Mahana – Community Housing
- Neil Donnelly, Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei Whai Rawa Ltd
- Nick Roberts, Barker & Associates
- Olga Druzhinina, Development Advisory Services Limited
- Pat Gavaghan, Hugh Green Group
- Rachel Morgan, Barker and Associates
- Ryan Geddes, Savills
- Sam Law, Woods
- Sarah Tuohy, Foodstuffs
- Thomas Gibbons, Thomas Gibbons Law
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