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EDS Events: RM Reform Report - Launches In Auckland & Wellington
Replacing the Resource Management Act: Risks and Solutions
EDS’s latest report exploring the fundamental questions for ‘phase 3’ resource management law reform is being launched in Auckland on Monday 1 September, and Wellington on Wednesday 3 September.
This report is intended to inform the government’s efforts to replace the RMA with two new laws: a Planning Act and a Natural Environment Act. It follows previous policy work on resource management reform which can be viewed on our website here.
The report, authored by Dr Greg Severinsen and informed by international comparators, critiques seven key shifts envisaged for a future system, and offers workable solutions.
- A narrower scope
- Splitting the RMA into statutes for planning and environment
- A new framework for regulatory takings
- A new set of purposes and principles
- A framework for environmental limits
- Statutory spatial planning
- A more standardised system.
- Auckland Report Launch
The Auckland launch will include a presentation by Dr Greg Severinsen, followed by a panel discussion with:
Simon Court, Parliamentary Under-Secretary for
RMA Reform
Liz Moncrieff, Lead Advocacy Officer, New
Zealand Planning Institute (NZPI)
John Duguid, General
Manager, Planning and Resource Consents, Auckland
Council
Alan McDonald, Head of Advocacy & Strategy,
Employers & Manufacturers Association (EMA).
Date:
Monday 1 September 2025
Venue: Bell Gully, Deloitte
Centre, 1 Queen Street, Auckland 1010
Time: 5.00pm -
7.30pm (presentation starts 5.30pm sharp, drinks &
nibbles provided)
Cost: There is no charge to attend but
registration is essential
RSVP: Please secure your place
by COB Wednesday 27 August
Wellington Report Launch
The Wellington launch will include a presentation by Dr Greg Severinsen, followed by Q&A.
Date: Wednesday 3 September
2025
Venue: Bell Gully, Level 4/40 Lady Elizabeth Lane,
Pipitea, Wellington
Time: 5.00pm - 7.30pm (presentation
starts 5.30pm sharp, drinks & nibbles provided)
Cost:
There is no charge to attend but registration is
essential
RSVP: Please secure your place by COB Friday 29
August
The report will be available in pdf format, and a limited number of hard copies will be printed.
Thanks go to Forest and Bird and the Borrin Foundation for supporting this work.
Environmental Defence Society
EDS speaks for the environment. It has influence.
Since 1971, EDS has been driving environmental protection in Aotearoa New Zealand
through law and policy change. That's why it's one of this country's most influential non-
profit organisations when it comes to achieving better environmental outcomes.
EDS has expertise in key disciplines including law, planning, landscape and science. It
operates as a policy think-tank, a litigation advocate, and a collaborator – bringing together
the private and public sectors for constructive engagement.
EDS runs conferences and seminars on topical issues, including an annual Environmental
Summit and the Climate Change and Business Conference.
EDS is a registered charity and donations to it are tax-deductible.
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