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High Level Policy Options

Improve clarity and effectiveness of central government intervention

A clear and transparent strategy guiding the use of central government’s RMA powers would improve their effectiveness. Greater transparency would also increase certainty for local government, applicants and the wider community. More clear, proactive and certain central government guidance would improve performance but, unless supported by legislative amendment, would not be sufficient to address the range of problems with RMA implementation and decision-making.

Increase local government resourcing

Given the influence of local government in New Zealand’s resource management processes, one way to improve RMA performance would be for central government to significantly increase local government resourcing – particularly in the areas of resource consent processing, monitoring and enforcement. Although worthy of consideration, increased resourcing of local government will not necessarily guarantee more effective implementation and will not address the question of how to appropriately balance national interests against local interests in a local decision-making forum.

Provide further non-statutory guidance

Non-statutory guidance plays an important role in assisting accurate interpretation and promoting improved performance. In isolation, however, non-statutory guidance will not guarantee effective or consistent implementation as compliance is voluntary.

Draft special purpose legislation

The government could choose to introduce specific legislation to address specific problems with the RMA. While potentially effective, this option could counteract the principle of integrated management and would risk undermining the integrity of New Zealand’s resource management framework.

Amend related legislation

There are options available to improve synergy and reduce duplication across statutes but these are complex and may have significant or unintended implications that can not easily be identified within the timeframe set for the first phase of reform.  

Amend the RMA to improve, streamline and simplify processes

There are a range of amendment options available to increase the consistency, speed and quality of planning controls and consent processes. In some instances, effective options are likely to include reduced opportunities for public participation and greater reliance on centralised rather than devolved decision-making. Amendments to the RMA could increase the effectiveness and efficiency of central government intervention and consent processing for nationally significant proposals to ensure that matters of national importance are appropriately factored into local decisions. There are also options available to improve the workability of the statute by correcting inaccuracies and omissions, and to increase the efficiency of decision-making processes and the effectiveness of compliance mechanisms. Directly amending the RMA is considered the most effective means for achieving the government’s objective in a timely and certain manner.  

 

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