Summarised by Centrist
The government is rolling out reforms to the Resource Management Act (RMA) aiming to cut red tape, streamline regulations, and double the value of exports within 10 years.
The reforms, part of a second RMA Amendment Bill, cover areas like freshwater management, biodiversity, and commercial forestry.
Agriculture Minister Todd McClay said that the changes are intended to empower local decision-making and boost productivity.
“The primary sector has been weighed down by unworkable and costly regulation for too long,” said McClay.
Some of the key changes include revising freshwater policies to “ a more balanced approach for all water users. This will include reviewing and replacing the National Policy Statement for Freshwater Management 2020, enabling vegetable growing and on-farm water storage to support economic and environmental goals.”
They also include easing restrictions on indigenous biodiversity to support land use and simplifying the consent process for industries like quarrying and marine aquaculture.
The government will also pause the rollout of freshwater farm plans designed to identify and address environmental risks related to water quality on their farms.
Many in the rural sector are hailing this decision. Federated Farmers, represented by Colin Hurst, described the previous plans as unworkable and unaffordable, with bureaucratic hurdles. DairyNZ also supports the pause, saying it provides time to simplify the system and reduce costs while still improving environmental outcomes. The government acknowledges that changes are needed to make the plans more practical and cost-effective for farmers.
