New Zealand’s resource management replacement bills have put spatial planning at the forefront. As a leading planning and advisory firm, Beca is gearing up for the change and what it means for the clients and communities we serve.
Thirty-year regional spatial plans will become mandatory under the new legislation, requiring joined-up, future-focused thinking to identify growth areas, infrastructure corridors and areas needing protection. Spatial planning is all about being proactive in thinking about the future we want for our communities and taking a long-term view so that decisions make sense for today and for future generations.
Te Pātukurea, the spatial plan for Kerikeri-Waipapa, is an example of what this can look like. It sets out a long-term vision for how the community will grow while protecting the unique environmental, cultural and social qualities of the Far North.
Beca began working with Far North District Council (FNDC) on the sub-district plan in 2023. What began as a project providing technical planning advice and governance support quickly evolved to include engagement, transport, social outcomes and water management advisory services. The plan was formally adopted by the council in June 2025.
Recently, Te Pātukurea won the 2026 New Zealand Planning Institute’s Supreme Award (the Nancy Northcroft Planning Practice Award) for outstanding planning practice in the Strategic/Non-Statutory Category.
Megan Couture, Senior Associate – Planning and Consultant Planning Lead said of the project:
“Te Pātukurea shows what’s possible when planning is grounded in genuine partnership and innovation and is an excellent model of how spatial planning can be made approachable, meaningful and relevant. This recognition reflects the strength of that collaboration and the willingness to do planning differently and in a way that is inclusive, evidence based, culturally grounded and focused on generations to come.”
Te Pātukurea demonstrates that effective spatial planning requires collaborative, multidisciplinary approaches and quality community engagement.
Beca is uniquely placed to work alongside local government teams to prepare spatial plans that reflect the needs of each community, no matter the scale or nature of the issues. The reforms present an opportunity to bring a collaborative and award-winning approach to councils across the country.
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April 2026