The RMA to be replaced by three pieces of legislation now confirmed - Feb 2021

Environment Minister David Parker, who has been open about the need for major change, said urban areas were struggling to keep pace with population growth and the need for affordable housing.

At the same time, water quality was deteriorating, biodiversity was diminishing and there was an "urgent need" to slash carbon emissions and adapt to climate change, he said.

Other key changes confirmed today include one single combined plan per region - something last year's Randerson report had also called for.

The NBA would come with a mandatory set of national policies and standards to support natural environmental limits and targets specified in the new law, and these would also be incorporated into the regional plans. (Abridged from NZ Herald report by Science reporter Jamie Morton - 10th Feb)