Welcome to this update bulletin from the Urban Design Forum.

Note: A transcript of the RM Reform Panel Discussion is now available here and PPT slides here.

UDF SPECIAL GENERAL MEETING + RM REFORM PANEL DISCUSSION

You are warmly invited to attend a combined SGM and RMA REFORM Panel Discussion Event from 12noon to 1pm on Wednesday 25 February.

To RSVP to this invitation please complete our Registration Form NOW. This event will be conducted as a Webinar – a calendar invite with details will be distributed to all those who register.

Please register here: Event Notice: UDF SGM & RM Reform Panel Discussion at noon on Wednesday 25 February – Fill out form

EVENT DETAILS

1. SGM – A meeting to approve proceeding with re-registration for the UDF Constitution (this is expected to be brief)

The current UDF Constitution was last updated in 2021 – a copy is available to view/download on the UDF website at https://urbandesignforum.org.nz/about/
As required by the new Incorporated Societies Act 2022 a revised Constitution must be submitted to comply with the new Act before 5 April 2026.
Members of the UDF National Committee are finalising this revision to meet mandatory and practical requirements for re‑registration.
A link to this revised Constitution will be provided within the week prior to the SGM with an opportunity for Members to review the content.
A Members’ vote will be held at the SGM for submission of the revised Constitution to proceed.

2. Panel Discussion – Entering A Future Beyond The RMA

The latest RMA reforms process has now moved to the Environment Select Committee – with the call for submissions on the Planning Bill and Natural Environment Bill concluding on Friday 13 February
Two invited panelists, joined by a member of the UDF RM Reform working group, will be sharing their views on the process to date and key issues: Graeme McIndoe for the Urban Designers Institute Aotearoa and Liz Moncrieff, Lead Advocacy Officer at the NZ Planning Institute
Ekin Sakin, a leading member of our RM Reform working group and National Committee member, will be facilitating a discussion on the issues that have emerged through submissions on the proposed new legislation and how this might be navigated into the remainder of 2026 and beyond.

Brief Updates: A busy February!

A big thank you to the UDF RMA Reform working group

First and foremost, a big thanks is due to the UDF RMA Reform working group for its sterling work submitting on the new legislation. The efforts of all concerned – Ekin Sakin, David Hattam, Jeremy Butler, Graeme Scott, Eva Zombori and Jade McFarlane – is greatly appreciated. Responses to the survey promoted out to Members proved very useful. Thank you to Members who responded.

The Submission deadline has been met and a final copy of the submission will be uploaded to the UDF website next week. For anyone who has a burning desire to add any brief last-minute views there is a Submissions option that looks like this open until 4.30pm today.

Just click on the specific submission link at Parliament.nz and follow the prompts. It’s never too late…

Successful gatherings at 888 Colombo St in Ōtautahi Christchurch and Karanga-a-Hape Station precinct in Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland

UDF National Committee members in Christchurch (Ekin Sakin, Jade McFarlane, Cam Coull) and Auckland (Maria Walker, Xin Tian, Lauren White, Deb Lee Sang) were busy hosting members at successful events on 3 February and 11 February.