Andrew Hoggard: Why treaty bill is still relevant

Last month marked the beginning of the political year, beginning with Waitangi Day.

This placed ACT's Treaty Principles Bill front and centre and understandably it was the topic of many conversations. In parallel the select committee process began in Wellington.

Dr Bryce Edwards: The Act Party’s highly influential year

The Act Party ends the year on 9.6% in an average of the last public polls, a moderate gain on its 2023 election result of 8.64% but still a strong result considering the poor track record of minor parties in MMP, and a testimony to the high profile enjoyed by its leader David Seymour and his Treaty Principles Bill.

Andrew Hoggard: Scope of Significant Natural Areas review revealed

The Government has decided the scope of a review that will consider how significant natural areas (SNAs) should be identified, assessed and managed, Associate Environment Minister Andrew Hoggard announced today.

In May, the Government introduced a Bill that proposes to suspend requirements for councils to identify new SNAs to provide time for a review of SNA provisions in the National Policy Statement for Indigenous Biodiversity (NPS-IB).

Hon Chris Bishop, Hon Todd McClay, Hon Andrew Hoggard: RMA Bill

Urgent changes to system through first RMA Amendment Bill

The coalition Government is delivering on its commitment to improve resource management laws and give greater certainty to consent applicants, with a Bill to amend the Resource Management Act (RMA) expected to be introduced to Parliament next month.

RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop has today outlined the first RMA Amendment Bill which will make urgent changes to the resource management system.