Our response to central government reforms
Central government is introducing major reforms that will reshape how we manage land, water, and the environment in Aotearoa New Zealand. Find out what these proposed changes mean for our work and communities we serve, and how we're responding to ensure the region’s priorities are heard and protected.
What’s changing
The Government is reforming the resource management system, with new legislation to replace the Resource Management Act (1991) (RMA) introduced to Parliament on 9 December 2025 and public consultation to follow.
Once passed into law ( expected in mid-2026), the new legislation will affect how we plan for and manage our natural environment, cities and towns, with impacts for local authorities, communities, resource users and ratepayers.
To provide some certainty during the transition to the new resource management system, the Government also introduced the Resource Management (Consent Duration) Amendment Act. The new Act was processed under urgency and is in effect from 17 December 2025.
Under this Act, all consents due to expire before 31 December 2027 will be automatically extended until that date unless it is a water-related consent, and the extension to 31 December 2027 will take the duration beyond 35 years. In that case, the consent’s duration will be extended to expire 35 years after commencement. Read our notice on automatic extensions to resource consents under the Resource Management (Consent Duration) Amendment Act
Alongside this, the Government recently also released a detailed proposal to fundamentally reshape regional government across New Zealand, including replacing elected regional councillors with interim governing bodies. Also recently released was proposal on rates capping.
Other changes to legislation and policy that guide how we deliver our work as a regional council include:
- Climate change adaptation and natural hazards
- Emergency management
- Infrastructure, funding, and transport
- Local Government system improvements/rates caps
- Te Tiriti o Waitangi/te Ao Māori legislation.
Download a timeline of central government reforms affecting local government (PDF file.1.84MB)
How we’re responding to government reforms
When central government brings out new legislation or proposals, we work to advocate for Waitaha Canterbury and to adapt quickly to changes in central government policy and legislation. Read our submissions on central government reform proposals.
Our staff regularly scan for new legislative proposals and analyse new legislation that is introduced to understand how it will impact Waitaha Canterbury’s environment, its people, the economy and how we operate as a regional council.
See our notice on automatic extensions to resource consents under the Consent Duration Amendment Act coming into effect from 17 December 2025.
Want to stay up to date? Explore our news section for the latest updates on government reforms, proposed legislation, and how we’re ensuring Canterbury’s voice is heard.