Cheaper, better builds

Environment Minister

There will be fewer consents to process, with the weight of decision-making at early planning stages, with the hope of fewer delays at the consent stage.

Central government will have more power, with an aim to allow for more building or activities to reduce consenting cost and delays.

The new rules also give local authorities the ability to enforce stronger conditions, compliance and enforcement powers.

Mā ori will have decision-making roles at the national, regional and local levels, including a new national entity to monitor Tiriti o Waitangi performance and provide input into the national planning framework under the Natural and Built Environment Act (NBA), one of the proposed new laws.

The framework involves water and air quality, and to aid infrastructure development.

Under the RMA, there was a requirement to take Tiriti principles into account, while the reforms require people and organisation to ‘‘give effect’’ to the principles.

The NBA is set to take the bulk from the Resource Management Act, with powers to protect, restore and enhance environmental protection of areas such as estuaries and coastlines, the reduction of greenhouse gases and to protect human health.

Parker said the previous ‘‘effects-based approach’’ saw small adverse effects which accumulated into significant environmental degradation – ‘‘most notably with water quality and loss of biodiversity and top soil’’.

There will be bottom lines for environmental degradation that are not allowed to be breached.

‘‘We will be helping local government tame their planning departments.’’ David Parker