With the [impending] enactment of the Planning Act and Natural Environment Act, regional spatial planning is set to become a central part of New Zealand's new planning system. But what does good spatial planning look like in practice, and what should practitioners be thinking about now?

Join this RMLA webinar as experts explore the key legal, governance, planning and economic issues that will shape the success of regional spatial planning. We are pleased to have Diana Hartley (DLA Piper), Finbar Kiddle (Taranaki Regional Council), Douglas Fairgray (Market Economics) and Stephanie Styles (Boffa Miskell) joining us for this webinar. Drawing on experience from across the country, the panel will share a range of perspectives with practical insights, likely challenges, and highlighting the opportunities to move the new framework into successful long-term planning and implementation.

ABOUT THE SPEAKERS

Diana Hartley — Partner, DLA Piper
Diana Hartley is a Partner at DLA Piper specialising in resource management, environmental, local government and public law. She has extensive experience advising local authorities, government entities, developers and corporates on strategic resource management issues, including regional and district planning, urban growth and infrastructure. Diana has also been closely involved in analysis of the Government’s new resource management legislation, bringing a strong legal perspective to how the new planning system will operate in practice. DLA Piper.

Finbar Kiddle — Strategy Lead, Taranaki Regional Council
Finbar Kiddle is Strategy Lead at Taranaki Regional Council and a planner by training. He is closely involved in Taranaki’s preparations for the new resource management system, including work to develop the region’s spatial planning approach and coordinate across councils, iwi and other stakeholders. His recent work has included examining long-term energy scenarios for Taranaki and how these interact with land use, infrastructure, economic development and regional spatial planning. Transportation Regulation Commission.

Douglas Fairgray — Director, Market Economics
Dr Douglas Fairgray is a Director of Market Economics and has 40 years’ experience in economic research and consulting. He has led more than 900 consultancy projects for government and commercial clients and is regularly engaged as an expert witness in planning and environmental proceedings. His work spans urban form, growth, land use, community wellbeing, efficiency and sustainability, bringing an economic and evidence-based perspective to decisions about how regions develop over the long term.

Stephanie Styles — Associate Partner and Planner, Boffa Miskell
Stephanie Styles is an Associate Partner and planner at Boffa Miskell with more than 25 years’ experience in consulting and local government. Her work covers statutory and spatial planning, regional and district plan development, complex planning projects and stakeholder engagement. Stephanie has recently been working directly on regional spatial planning and co-presented NZPI’s Foundations for Spatial Planning workshop series across Aotearoa in 2026, exploring how spatial plans can move from strategic ambition into practical implementation.