Natural and Built Environment Act 2023 (2023 No 46).

This Act represents a significant step towards sustainable environmental governance, balancing development needs with ecological protection. It sets the groundwork for future legislation and planning efforts, aiming to create resilient communities and ecosystems in New Zealand. The Act establishes a framework for regional spatial strategies and planning, ensuring that local authorities can effectively manage resources and environmental impacts. Key provisions include the functions and powers of various ministers, including the Minister for Environment, who can direct local authorities and regional planning committees in their planning processes. The Act emphasizes the importance of environmental limits and targets, mandating that plans must specify how these will be achieved and managed. Plans developed under this Act must enable the sustainable use of resources, protect the environment, and resolve conflicts between different land uses. They should also integrate infrastructure with land use and consider cross boundary issues between regions. The strategic content of plans is required to align with the national planning framework, which provides overarching guidance and direction. The Act also addresses existing uses of land and activities, allowing certain established uses to continue while ensuring that new developments adhere to environmental standards. It includes provisions for monitoring and reviewing plans to maintain consistency with national objectives.
The Act streamlines the resource consent process for efficiency, particularly for activities with minor environmental impacts. It sets mandatory environmental limits to prevent ecosystem degradation and establishes targets for environmental improvements such as emission reductions and water quality enhancement. Enhanced Maori involvement in environmental management is mandated, recognizing their Treaty of Waitangi rights and requiring consultation and partnership in decision-making. Compliance monitoring and enforcement measures are strengthened, with penalties for non-compliance to ensure adherence to regulations. New governance structures are established to oversee implementation, promoting collaboration between central and local governments, iwi, and stakeholders.
The Act consists of 805 Articles divided into 12 Parts and 16 Schedules including purpose and preliminary matters (1); duties and restrictions (2); exercise of functions and powers (3); national planning framework (4); natural and build environmental plans (5); resources consenting and proposals of national significance (6); management of particular resources and areas (7); coastal matters (8); matters relevant to natural and built environment plans (9); subdivision and reclamation (10); compliance and enforcement (11); general provisions (12).