The Government is expected to introduce RMA legislation by the end of this year. We’re concerned the consultation process will run over the holiday period but will be strongly advocating for adequate time to talk to farmers, and for practical workable outcomes.
The RMA and freshwater rules that sit under it are arguably the most important pieces of legislation for the farming sector as this framework determines the use of our productive resources.
This is a once in a lifetime chance to shape how our productive resources are managed and it is therefore one of B+LNZ’s primary focuses over the coming months.
We expect the new Planning Act (enabling development, infrastructure and housing) and Environment Act (focused on environmental protection), which will replace the Resource Management Act 1991, to go to the House and then Select Committee in December.
This is likely to mean a consultation process will run over the holiday period. B+LNZ is concerned about this, and about how long will be provided, as this will likely impact our ability to thoroughly engage with farmers.
However, we will keep farmers updated at every step and will ensure that farmer views are represented to the best of our ability.
Key things to know
- To inform our early thinking, we’re running a survey to gather farmer input. There will be further opportunities for input in January but we encourage you to provide info now. Find the survey here.
- We’ll update farmers with our initial reaction when the legislation is released. We’ll also put this information on our website.
- This will be highly technical, complex legislation across hundreds of pages so it will take us some time to analyse it. We’ll have more information for farmers in mid-January.
- We’ll be making a submission on behalf of farmers and farmer input will be vital. We intend to run webinars after mid-January for farmers to find out more and provide feedback on critical areas.
- We’re working with sector partners such as DairyNZ and Deer Industry New Zealand to find alignment where possible.
Our position to date
We strongly agree the RMA needed reform, but we want to ensure its replacement is enduring and gives farmers certainty. We need to get this right. The Government’s intent is promising, but the detail – which we have yet to see – will be critical.
B+LNZ is strongly advocating for evidence-based and enduring outcomes. We want to shape a framework that is practical, supports land-use flexibility and reflects the needs of a productive, sustainable farming sector.
On a general level, we’re concerned farming may fall into one of the “gaps and overlaps” the Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment said could happen with separate legislation for ‘natural’ and ‘built’ environments. Farming, as an existing activity, could end up doing more to offset the effects of development. Existing primary production should be recognised and provided for under both Acts.
We know some farmers are concerned about consent costs and requirements. While we don’t know what’s in the legislation, we understand it is aimed at reducing the amount of consenting required. We support a greater number of permitted activities and greater use of farm plans for activities that would have needed a consent previously.
But we need to ensure the new regime allows discretion and flexibility as part of a permitted activity and the level of regulatory effort must reflect environmental risk. This recent op ed by B+LNZ Chair Kate Acland sets out our approach to farm plans.
The RMA has impacted more and more day-to-day operations on a farm as time has gone on, so it’s vital that all farmers’ interests are considered throughout this process.
As mentioned above, our submission will be informed by farmer feedback gathered in webinars in January. We have also previously tested a range of relevant policy positions with farmers (through Director Roadshows, freshwater policy workshops etc, and with the B+LNZ Environment Reference Group).
Next steps
We’ll let farmers know when the legislation is released, and when we have further information.
Remember to complete our survey in the meantime. It’s open until 19 December 2025.