Transitional Consenting

Changes to the 2GP for Transitional Consenting (matters that must be disregarded)

Changes to the RMA limit what a council can consider when assessing district land-use applications and notices of requirement. These changes apply to resource consent applications lodged from 30^th October 2026.

The table below lists the matters that councils must disregard when considering the effects of a land use activity or notice of requirement (from planning.govt.nz).

For all district land-use activities and notices of requirement	For residential activities (except in relation to protecting historic heritage)
Negative effects of development on trade competition, including on competing providers of input goods and services	The area of glazing
Effects on retail distribution	The presence or absence of balconies
Any lack of demand for a project	The outdoor living space
That the project is not financially viable	The internal layout
The type of residents to be housed in a new development	The size of a residential unit
Views from private property	The size of landscaped areas (except in relation to permeability)

We’re working with other councils, NZPI, and the Ministry for Cities, Environment, Regions and Transport (MCERT) to achieve consistency where possible in interpreting and applying the provisions.

Guidance on how these new provisions apply during the resource consent process has been developed by MCERT and is available here: Transitional consenting guidance - Planning.govt.nz

More information about changes to the resource consent process: Resource Management Law Reform

Overview of changes to the 2GP

The 2GP has been updated to reflect the changes to the RMA. Where a 2GP provision is affected by these requirements (e.g. it can no longer be considered or needs to be amended to comply with the RMA), it has been amended using underline or ~~strike-through~~, followed by the relevant section of the RMA that requires the amendment. Underlining indicates new text, and strike-through indicates text that is removed.

The table below provides an overview of the 2GP provisions that have been amended.

Matters that council must disregard	Approach in 2GP
Negative effects of development on trade competition, including on competing providers of input goods and services	No 2GP changes proposed because the matter is not managed in the 2GP.
Any lack of demand for a project
That the project is not financially viable
The presence or absence of balconies for residential activities
The internal layout for residential activities
Effects on retail distribution	Relevant policies and rules have been amended to disregard effects on retail distribution. The changes are mainly in the commercial and mixed-use zones.
The type of residents to be housed in a new development	Relevant policies and rules have been amended to disregard the tenancy standard for family flats.
Views from private property	Some assessment rules, in rural and rural residential zones, have been amended to disregard views from private property.
The area of glazing for residential activities	Rule 18.6.11 is the only 2GP rule related to glazing requirements, and an exemption to the standard has been included for residential units.
The outdoor living space for residential activities	The outdoor living space standard (Rule 15.5.11) and all references to outdoor living space in relevant policies and assessment matters have been amended to disregard this matter.
The size of a residential unit	Relevant policies and rules have been amended to disregard the maximum gross floor area and footprint of residential units.

More information about changes to the resource consent process: Resource Management Law Reform

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