Resource Management Reform:

What consent holders need to know

The Government has announced changes to the resource management system, including the introduction of the Resource Management (Consent Duration) Amendment Act. We understand this may create uncertainty for consent holders and applicants. The information below summarises key information and our process.

• All consents due to expire before 31 December 2027 will automatically be extended to this date. The exceptions to this are:  water permits and consents to discharge to water or discharge to land where contaminants may enter water that already have a 35-year consent term. These will get no further extension.
• If you have an application in to ‘replace’ a current consent, but a decision has not yet been made by Council, your consent will be reinstated and extended until 31 December 2027. There are options for these applicants please see further information below. 
• Consent holders can still decide to apply to ‘replace’ their consent before this new expiry date. 
• Consent applications will still be processed under Regional Plans and follow the RMA process. 

What this means for your existing consent issued by ORC:

• If it was due to expire in the next two years, your expiry date will be automatically extended to 31 December 2027 or a maximum of 35 years (if your consent is a water permit or discharge permit to water or discharge of contaminants to land where they may enter water)
• You can continue to rely on your existing consents and you must comply with all consent conditions. 
• No action is required from you to receive the extension. Council will reissue your consent with this new consent term in early 2026.

If you currently have a consent application in with ORC:

• If you have lodged an application to ‘replace’ an existing consent that you hold, you will need to decide whether to continue with the processing of the application or withdraw it. 
• All applications will be processed in line with the RMA 1991. 
• If your replacement application includes activities not covered by your existing consent, you will still need a new consent for those activities. 

If you decide to withdraw your application:

• You may still need a new consent for any additional activities not covered by your existing consent.
• You may need to lodge a new replacement application before 31 December 2027.
• In line with our fees and charges costs incurred to date will be invoiced. 
• All charges will be reviewed to ensure they are fair and reasonable.

What you need to do:

• Let us know if you wish to withdraw your application.
• If we do not hear from you, we will continue processing your application as usual.

Please contact our consent enquiries team via consent.enquiries@orc.govt.nz if you would like to discuss your situation or need help understanding your options.