The Act provisions come into force in two stages. Some provisions have immediate legal effect on 17 December 2025, and others that will take effect on 31 March 2026.
The changes with immediate legal effect include:
taking into account relevant Government Policy Statements (GPS) and Ministerial directions. The first GPS, on grocery competition, is now available. Government Policy Statements and Ministerial directions
updating the pre-lodgement consultation, timeframes, and appeals processes. Substantive application for resource consents and other approvals
updating some project descriptions (see the Projects page on this website) and allowing other project descriptions to be updated by Order in Council.
We've made initial updates to this website, with more to follow.
Read the amendments here: Fast-track Approvals Amendment Act 2025 No 78, Public Act Contents – New Zealand Legislation