Budget 2026 invests $294 million over four years to support the rollout of a new planning and environmental management system that replaces the Resource Management Act.
RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop, Climate Change Minister Simon Watts and Parliamentary Under-Secretary Simon Court announced the funding, which will support development of national data standards, an e-Plan viewer, and core system architecture for the new planning system.
The new planning system will provide nationally consistent data standards, shared digital services, and a centrally managed platform for planning, consenting and monitoring. Currently 78 councils maintain separate planning systems.
"For too long, New Zealand's planning system has been slow, fragmented, and overly complex," Bishop said. "That has driven up costs, delayed development, and made it harder for people to understand what they can and can't do with their own land."
At least $1.29 billion is spent annually on consenting and approval processes under the current system. Investment in better data and digital systems could unlock up to $5.3 billion in economic growth over 30 years.
The funding will support development of the first New Zealand Flood Map providing property-level flood risk information, with the first iteration expected in 2027. The map will show where flooding is likely to happen, both now and in the future as a result of climate change.