Resource Management Act

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Improving and implementing the RMA

Administration of the RMA

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Resource Management Act: Improving and implementing the RMA

The Ministry leads work to improve the RMA and its implementation. Including RMA reviews and amendments, national environmental standards and national policy statements.

• RMA and amendments
  Since its enactment in 1991, the RMA has undergone several reviews and has been amended a number of times. This section lists RMA amendments, including information on the Resource Management Amendment Act 2005.
• Resource Management Regulations
  Regulations under the RMA deal with specific matters for administering the Act.  Current regulations under development include regulations for the RMA Biennial Survey of local authorities and for the provision of a discount on administrative charges for resource consent applications.
  • Forms, Fees and Procedure Regulations

  These forms are prescribed by the Resource Management (Forms, Fees and Procedure) Regulations 2003. They came into effect on 1 August 2003 and were updated on 1 June 2006.

• RMA Survey, reviews and investigations
  Every two years local authorities participate in a survey which examines key aspects of the Resource Management Act (RMA) process. The survey provides both information about local authority implementation of the RMA and a measure of comparative performance.
• National environmental standards
  National environmental standards are tools that secure a consistent approach and decision-making process throughout the whole country. This section discusses the current work programme for national environmental standards.
• National policy statements
  National policy statements are tools to help local government decide how competing national benefits and local costs should be balanced. This section discusses the current work programme for national policy statements.
• Preparing for an Environmental Protection Authority
  As part of its proposed package of Resource Management Act reforms, the Government is proposing to establish an Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) as a statutory office housed within the Ministry for the Environment.

Last updated: 15 January 2010