Expiring or expired consents
The Government has replaced the Resource Management Act (RMA) with the Natural Environment Act and Planning Act. The new system will be introduced over several years.
Although the RMA has been replaced, it will continue to apply during the transition period until we have new plans under the new system – expected near the end of 2029.
From 30 September 2026, some changes to the RMA will take effect. These include an extension to the duration of most existing resource consents that would otherwise expire between now and around 2029.
Some resource consents due to expire between 2027 and 2029 will receive an automatic extension. Certain consent types such as pre-1991 freshwater consents and discharges from municipal wastewater treatment plants are exempt from this extension.
If your consent duration is extended, regional council will advise you in writing by April 2027.
For more information about these consent duration extensions please see the Frequently Asked Questions on the Consent Page.
If you are unsure whether the changes affect your consent, and need to know prior to April, please contact the Duty Planner at Consents.Queries@boprc.govt.nz.
If you have already lodged an application for a replacement consent, we will continue processing the application unless you advise you wish to withdraw your consent application.
You will be charged for time spent processing your application, whether you withdraw your application or let processing continue to completion.
Most water take consents are granted for 15 years duration.
You can apply for a resource consent at any time regardless of when your existing consent expires. We recommend if you need a replacement consent that you apply at least six months prior to expiry to secure automatic s124 existing use rights.
Section 124 rights allow consent holders to continue operating under their existing consent beyond the expiry date, while their replacement consent application is being processed.
Annual fees may apply to consents with the automatically extended duration. If you no longer require your consent, you can complete a Surrender Form and return it via email to regulatory.admin@boprc.govt.nz or drop off at any Bay of Plenty Regional Council office.
If you're unsure about whether to apply for a replacement consent, please contact our Duty Consents Officer on 0800 884 881 or consents.queries@boprc.govt.nz
If you would like to discuss options for a consent application that you have already lodged with us, please contact the Consents Planner who is processing your application.