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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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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
If you're planning to develop in the area, it's essential to understand the new changes to the Engineering Acceptance process. The new changes require all urban multi-units, and minor residential units apply for prior engineering acceptance before applying for resource consent.
The Government caused much ado in July 2024 when it announced it was seeking public submissions on potential changes to Resource Management Act and Building Act legislation. These changes aim to enable the construction of granny flats without requiring resource or building consents. While a large number of submissions were received, any actual changes to the legislation enabling granny flat developments are not expected to take effect until sometime in 2025.