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Target Price Contracts: A Smarter Way for Developers to Avoid Budget Blowouts

By Clayton Fairbairn, Director Baseline Group | Oct 07, 2025

Traditional Measure and Value construction contracts leave developers vulnerable to significant cost overruns from unforeseen site conditions. The new Target Price contract, introduced in 2023 corrects this imbalance by promoting a collaborative risk-sharing model. This mechanism encourages contractors to manage risk and deliver efficiencies, shielding developers from the full weight of unexpected costs and rewarding both parties for smarter planning and execution, ultimately providing greater financial predictability for all stakeholders. Learn more about how this change is providing a smarter way for developers to avoid budget blowouts.

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New RMA rules tighten hazard controls for urban development

By Anna Bensemann, Senior Planner, Baseline Group | Sept 26, 2025

Resource Management (Consenting and Other System Changes) Amendment Act 2025 introduces Section 106A, granting councils stronger powers to control urban development in natural hazard areas. This change means developers will face stricter assessments and potentially higher mitigation costs for building on unstable land. While these reforms may lengthen project timelines, their clear intention is to prevent the long-term costs of poorly sited housing. Read our blog to find out more about how these new rules will affect urban growth and development.

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The enjoyment of private property rights

By Lisa Perry, Senior Planner, Baseline Group | Sept 22, 2025

The New Zealand government is in the process of replacing the Resource Management Act (RMA), with a guiding principle of better respecting private property rights. As a step toward this change, the new Resource Management (Consenting and Other System Changes) Amendment Act 2025 aims to make it easier for landowners and developers to get consent by reducing information requirements for applications. While these changes may save time and money for applicants, it is not yet clear how the new legislation will protect the private property rights of neighbours or improve environmental outcomes.

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How AI can shape our future?

By Mike Vincent, Associate, Baseline Group | Sept 22, 2025

In the past three years, AI has advanced at a pace that even the most optimistic experts failed to predict. Progress once thought to be five or ten years away is already here and being used in workplaces and households around the world. In the investment in this technology is exponential and the environmental credentials, whilst challenging at present, are improving at a rapid rate. Experts are clear: the world has entered an era of mass intelligence, where powerful and sophisticated tools are not only highly capable but increasingly affordable and accessible to anyone with an internet connection.

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What are development contributions and how might they affect you?

By Laurie Atkinson, Senior Planner, Baseline Group | Jul 14, 2025

Development Contributions (DCs) are council charges on new developments that help fund essential public infrastructure to support growth. This blog post explains what DCs are, how they are assessed, and how policy changes, like those proposed by Christchurch City Council for 2025, can significantly impact development costs and project feasibility.

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Granny Flats to Be Allowed, Without Consent: What Homeowners Need to Know

By Anna Bensemann, Senior Planner, Baseline Group | May 12, 2025

The New Zealand government has announced that granny flats up to 70 square meters will be allowed without building or resource consent, aiming to increase housing supply and reduce development costs. While this policy change has been welcomed, important questions remain about its implementation, including how compliance will be monitored and what planning rules will still apply. This blog post explores the implications of this announcement for homeowners, emphasising that the new rules are not yet in effect and that existing regulations still apply.

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Adapting to a Depreciating New Zealand Dollar (NZD)

By Laurie Atkinson, Planner, Baseline Group | May 12, 2025

The depreciation of the New Zealand dollar against the US dollar is significantly impacting development projects due to increased costs of imported materials. While this presents challenges, particularly for projects with fixed-price contracts, it also opens up opportunities for agile developers. This blog post explores how to navigate this market uncertainty by emphasising the importance of early engagement with planning professionals to ensure project viability and success.

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Understanding Land Covenants: What You Need to Know

By Laurie Atkinson, Planner, Baseline Group | Mar 28, 2025

If you own property or are thinking about buying land, you’ve probably come across the term "land covenants." These are legal restrictions recorded on a property’s title that set out rules on how the land can be used or developed. They’re usually put in place by developers, councils, or previous landowners to maintain a certain look and feel in a subdivision, protect the environment, or control what can and can't be built. While covenants can help keep property values stable and maintain the overall character of a neighbourhood, they can also come with some unexpected restrictions.

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Managing Waterbodies on Your Property: What Landowners Need to Know

By Rose Marshall, Planner, Baseline Group | Mar 06, 2025

In the Selwyn District, many properties are crossed by streams or rivers, whether natural or man-made. For landowners, having a waterbody on your property is both a privilege and a responsibility. It’s essential to be aware of the rules that govern how you can interact with these water features, especially when planning development or making changes. Misunderstanding or overlooking these regulations can result in costly fines or even legal action, so understanding the classification of your waterbody is the first crucial step to avoid these issues and ensure you are compliant.

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Is planning the cause of red tape for land development?

By Anna Bensemann, Senior Planner, Baseline Group | Feb 19, 2025

Anyone who has considered subdividing or developing a site in a New Zealand town or city will likely have encountered frustration and delays with Council and the process in general. Often, these frustrations are directed at planning provisions under the Resource Management Act (RMA) or how they are enacted or interpreted by Local in the form of District Plans. Government reviews and reforms have consistently blamed planning (rules and regulations) for red tape hindering development and growth.

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