28581 (2023). Hon Rachel Brooking to the Minister responsible for RMA Reform

28581 (2023). Hon Rachel Brooking to the Minister responsible for RMA Reform: Does the Ministry for the Environment expect to require external assistance or advice to deliver on the government’s commitment to "streamline the plan preparation process in Schedule 1 of the RMA" as outlined in the National Party and New Zealand First coalition agreement?

Hon Chris Bishop: I am advised that the Ministry for the Environment has not undertaken this analysis. The Ministry for the Environment engages external assistance only when staff are unavailable or when there is a need for specialised, high-level skills that are not economic to maintain in-house on a full-time basis. Hiring managers are required to complete strict procurement and policy standards to engage external contract resource.