Consultation on New Plymouth planning rules

Overview

The Resource Management (Consenting and Other System Changes) Amendment Act 2025 introduced a new power for the Minister for the Environment (now delegated to the Minister Responsible for RMA Reform) to make regulations to remove or modify local plan provisions that negatively impact economic growth, development capacity or employment.   

Read more about this regulation-making power.

Investigation into planning provisions within the Part Operative New Plymouth District Plan 

The Government consulted on the investigation report into various provisions within the Part Operative New Plymouth District Plan (the Plan). 

The investigation report, commissioned by Minister for RMA Reform, Hon Chris Bishop, examines whether specific provisions within the Plan are having negative impacts on economic growth, development capacity or employment. 

We sought feedback from parties that may be affected by the recommendations in the investigation report, which is linked below.  

A table comparing key recommendations in the investigation report to the status quo under the Plan’s current provisions is also linked below.  

Read the investigation report.

View the comparison table (PDF 249KB)

What happens next

This consultation closed on 5 August 2026. 

Submissions will be analysed to inform policy and Government decisions. 

If you have any further questions, please email s360regulationsengagement@mfe.govt.nz.   

Closed 5 Aug 2026

Opened 22 Jul 2026