This week in Parliament

This week in Parliament is a brief overview of anticipated business and events to be conducted by the House and Select Committees in the coming week.

The Order Paper is similar to an agenda, listing all the business before the House that sitting day. The order of business can change until the final order paper is published at 10:30am on the sitting day.

The Select Committee Schedule of meetings lists all committee business being conducted for the week. Business items displaying an asterisk indicate meetings that are open to the public. The meeting schedule is subject to changes at short notice.

Highlights in the House this week

Members’ day, General debate and extended sitting

There will be a General debate on Wednesday followed by progression of members’ legislation. Wednesday’s House sitting will extend into Thursday morning to progress Government business.

Government legislation scheduled to progress

Natural Environment Bill and the Planning Bill

The Natural Environment Bill and the Planning Bill are scheduled for their second reading.

The Natural Environment Bill and the Planning Bill would replace the Resource Management Act 1991 (RMA system) with a more structured system that separates planning from environmental management. The Government will have a stronger role in national planning and setting environmental direction with regional plans to implement national goals and standards.

Under the RMA system planning and environmental management were largely dealt as one.  Under these bills these functions would be split into separate functions:

·         the Natural Environment Bill mainly deals with management of natural resources and environmental protection

·         the Planning Bill mainly deals with land use and development.

Although separate, the two bills rely on each other to work. The new system is designed like a funnel, where each level gives direction to the level below it. The Government would set national policies and standards. Each region would prepare plans that put the national direction into practice.

These plans would include:

·           a Regional Spatial Plan—long-term strategic planning

·           a Natural Environment Plan—environmental management

·           District Land Use Plans—local planning rules.

The Natural Environment Plans and Land Use Plans would both be used to implement the Regional Spatial Plans.

People would have opportunities to provide input at several stages of the planning process, including requirements to consult with Māori.

A key new feature of the bills is a new Planning Tribunal set up to help resolve 
lower-level planning disputes, alongside the Environment Court.

Both bills were examined by the Environment Committee and it recommends by majority that the bills be passed. All amendments are recommended by majority.

The full content of the Natural Environment Bill along with the Planning Bill are available.

Te Here ā Nuku (Nelson Tenths) Bill

Te Here ā Nuku (Nelson Tenths) Bill is scheduled for its second reading.

In December 2025, the Crown signed a Resolution Agreement that settled a private property law claim with the trustees of Te Here ā Nuku Trust for the transfer of legal title for lands in the Nelson, Tasman / Te Tai-o-Aorere, and Golden Bay / Mohua areas.

Other parts of the Resolution Agreement do not require legislation.

The Finance and Expenditure Committee examined the bill and recommends that it be passed. The committee recommends all amendments unanimously.

The committee report and the full content of the bill are available here.

Private and local legislation scheduled to progress

Ōtautahi Community Housing Trust (Trust Variation) Bill

The Ōtautahi Community Housing Trust (Trust Variation) Bill is scheduled for its second reading.

The Ōtautahi Community Housing Trust (the trust) was set up to manage the Christchurch City Council’s community housing portfolio, address housing supply and affordability, and develop new social housing in Christchurch and Banks Peninsula.

The bill seeks to amend the trust deed to allow the trust to provide its services beyond Christchurch and Banks Peninsula.

The Social Services and Community Committee examined the bill and recommends that it be passed. The committee recommends all amendments unanimously.

The committee report and the full content of the bill are available here.

Trust Horizon (Trust Variation) Bill

The Trust Horizon (Trust Variation) Bill s scheduled for its second reading.

Trust Horizon (the Trust) is a charitable trust created as part of the 1992 energy sector reforms. The Trust is limited to distributing its assets to energy-related purposes within Whakatāne, Kawerau, Ōpōtiki and Kaingaroa.

This bill seeks to amend the terms of the trust to allow the Trust to make a greater contribution to the district by broadening the Trust’s objects to include any charitable purposes within the district.

The Social Services and Community Committee examined the bill and recommends that it be passed. The committee also recommends all amendments unanimously.

The committee report and the full content of the bill are available here.

Members’ legislation scheduled to progress

Local Government (Management of Local Authorities) Amendment Bill

This bill proposes changes to the Local Government Act 2002 to make it clear that a local authority's governing body has the authority to direct and oversee how the chief executive manages the council's activities.

The bill also clarifies that elected members of a local authority can seek advice from people other than the chief executive.

In addition, it confirms that the chief executive is accountable to, and must operate under the direction and supervision of, the local authority's governing body.

The full content of the bill is available here.

Maritime Transport (Lifejackets on Recreational Craft) Amendment Bill

The Maritime Transport (Lifejackets on Recreational Craft) Amendment Bill is scheduled for its committee stage.

This bill proposes to reduce the risk of children and young people drowning during recreational boating. The bill proposes requiring anyone under 15 years to wear a life jacket on a recreational craft 6 metres or less in length while the vessel is in use.

The full content of the bill is available here.

Crown Minerals (Prohibition on Mining on Conservation Land) Amendment Bill

The Crown Minerals (Prohibition on Mining on Conservation Land) Amendment Bill is scheduled for its first reading.

This bill proposes to amend the Crown Minerals Act 1991. Currently, mining is treated differently to other commercial activities on conservation land. This seeks to prohibit new mining, prospecting, and exploration on conservation land and waters.

The full content of the bill is available here.