S
imon Court ACT MP and Undersecretary to the Minister for RMA Reform and Infrastructure.
New Zealand’s resource management system has long been a source of frustration and disempowerment for property owners. For decades, we have seen an increasing concentration of decision-making in the hands of local councils and central government, leaving property owners with limited control over their own land. As we look toward the future, restoring property rights should be the most important element of any reform to the resource management system. This will not only empower individuals but also drive economic growth, promote environmental stewardship, and enhance local communities’ resilience.
The current system, entrenched by the Resource Management Act (RMA), has created a bureaucratic maze that hampers development and stifles innovation. It has become a tool of government control, restricting property owners’ ability to make decisions about their own land and stalling projects that could provide jobs, homes, and services for New Zealanders. These restrictions are especially detrimental to rural and regional communities, where local residents are often best placed to manage their own natural resources and land use.
One of the most pressing reasons for restoring property rights is that it reintroduces the principle of individual responsibility. When property owners have the right to manage their land as they see fit, within sensible environmental guidelines, they have a vested interest in maintaining and improving the quality of the land. Property rights encourage long-term planning and responsible stewardship of natural resources, as landowners are more likely to invest in sustainable practices when they can benefit from the results.
A prime example of this is the role of landowners in managing and improving waterways. In many parts of the country, farmers and property owners have already undertaken significant initiatives to reduce nutrient runoff and improve water quality – without the need for heavy-handed government intervention. Restoring property rights ensures that such initiatives can continue to flourish, rather than being stifled by bureaucratic red tape.
The latest proposed reforms to the resource management system present a chance to right these wrongs. The ACT Party is committed to restoring property rights as a fundamental part of this overhaul. We believe that when people are empowered to make decisions about their own property, they are not only able to better manage their resources, but they are also better equipped to contribute to the broader community.
Take, for example, the problem of housing. As it stands, overly restrictive zoning and planning laws make it incredibly difficult for people to build homes, particularly in urban areas. By restoring property rights, individuals would have greater freedom to build on their own land, reducing the bottleneck that currently limits housing supply. More homes would mean more affordable options for first-time buyers, and more opportunity for growth in our communities.
Furthermore, property rights are a cornerstone of economic freedom. Businesses, whether large or small, require certainty and the ability to make decisions on their own property. The current system, with its layers of red tape and endless consultations, discourages investment and hampers entrepreneurial spirit. Restoring property rights will unlock new economic opportunities and drive growth in our local economies.
The ACT Party stands firm in our commitment to this cause, and we will continue to push for a resource management system that empowers people, not bureaucrats. By restoring property rights, we are creating a dynamic, prosperous, and sustainable future for all New Zealanders.
