New Zealand’s marine economy is poised for significant expansion, driven by recent reforms to the Resource Management Act (RMA) that aim to streamline regulations and encourage investment in key industries like aquaculture and renewable energy. These changes, which include extended marine farm permits and fast-track consenting for infrastructure projects, have sparked optimism from industry leaders, though environmental groups have raised concerns.
Extended Marine Farm Permits Bring Industry Certainty
One of the most consequential reforms, the Resource Management (Extended Duration of Coastal Permits for Marine Farms) Amendment Act 2024, came into effect on September 3, 2024. The legislation extends all existing coastal permits for marine farms by 20 years, with a new expiry date of December 31, 2050. The government argues this move will provide much-needed certainty for the aquaculture sector, which is envisioned to grow from $700 million to $2 billion in the coming years.
Speaking in Parliament last year, Minister for Oceans and Fisheries Shane Jones framed the amendment as a vital step for economic growth. “By extending consents by 20 years, this bill will enable the sector to realise uninterrupted, untapped growth,” he said during the bill’s first reading, “freeing them from eco-babble, green tape, and those blowfish aspirations which are hobbling industry in New Zealand.”
Industry leaders have welcomed the change. Gary Hooper, CEO of Aquaculture New Zealand, recently told Newstalk ZB’s Mike Hosking Breakfast that consenting delays have long hindered the industry. “We can get an extra two-point-something billion, I say, relatively easy,” he said. “It will still take some time, and of course, you still need the investment and the confidence … But the one thing I’m very confident on is the market demand for our wonderful products.”
Fast-Track Consenting to Boost Infrastructure and Energy Projects
In addition to marine farm reforms, the Fast-Track Approvals Act 2024 is expected to accelerate approvals for energy and marine infrastructure projects.
The act introduces a one-year consenting period for major energy-related activities, aiming to reduce bureaucratic delays that have traditionally slowed projects. “it has become too hard and too expensive to get things done in New Zealand,” said Minister Responsible for RMA Reform, Chris Bishop, unveiling the reforms in March last year. “We need to lift our economic growth rate.”
The legislation has received strong backing from the business and investment community, with many viewing it as a game-changer for offshore wind, tidal energy, and port expansion projects. However, environmental groups have raised alarms over whether the fast-track process will weaken oversight, particularly for projects in coastal and marine areas that require careful ecological assessment.
Balancing Economic Growth with Environmental Protection
One of the most contentious aspects of the reforms is the ongoing debate over how the RMA interacts with the Fisheries Act 1996. The new Resource Management (Consenting and Other System Changes) Amendment Bill, currently before Parliament, proposes limiting the ability of regional councils to impose fishing-related restrictions in coastal plans.
According to the EDS, this change could significantly weaken protections for marine biodiversity, particularly in areas where overfishing has led to ecosystem decline. The group cited a recent Environment Court decision that upheld restrictions on fishing in Northland’s coastal waters, arguing that such protections are vital for maintaining healthy marine habitats.
Meanwhile, the government maintains that the reforms will provide much-needed clarity by ensuring fishing regulations are handled primarily through the Fisheries Act, rather than a patchwork of regional council rules. Minister Jones has also argued that Māori and iwi groups should focus on co-investment in aquaculture rather than acting as “cultural busybodies” in regulatory processes—a comment that has sparked backlash from opposition parties and environmental advocates.
Looking Ahead: What’s Next for Marine Governance?
The government has outlined a high-level roadmap for further resource management reforms, including plans to replace the RMA entirely by 2026. Two new laws—one focused on environmental protection and another dedicated to urban development and infrastructure—are expected to be introduced to Parliament in mid-2025.