Tuia Pito Ora New Zealand Institute of Landscape Architects has lodged its formal submission on the Planning Bill and Natural Environment Bill.

The submission draws on a national hui, collaboration with allied professional bodies, and detailed work by the Environmental Legislation Working Group. It reflects the collective professional judgement of more than 700 landscape architects working across urban, rural, coastal and natural environments in Aotearoa.

The Institute supports the overall direction of reform, including stronger national direction and regional spatial planning. However, the submission identifies structural issues that must be addressed if the system is to deliver genuinely well-functioning environments.

Our key messages are clear:

• Well-functioning environments must be understood as integrated systems across urban, rural, coastal and natural settings
• The retention of landscape character and visual amenity regulation is essential to inform well-functioning environments
• A single region-wide, place-based evidence base is essential
• Shared definitions and clear national criteria are needed
• Natural and built environments must be integrated, not separated
• Enhancement, not just protection, must be explicit in the Natural Environment Bill
• Regulatory relief provisions must not undermine mapped environmental values

The Institute has requested to be heard and has offered its expertise to assist with refinement of the Bills.

The full submission can be read on the NZILA website.

Submissions close at 4.30pm on Friday 13 February 2026.