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IKEA arrives – and the lesson is clear: Want more? Ditch the RMA

Party: ACT

Sender: ACTion I ACT New Zealand <[email protected]>

Date Received: 2025-12-05 19:43

HTML Version

Flat-pack furniture and Swedish meatballs – this week was a win for Kiwis who want more choice and lower costs.
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Dear [Name],

Every win we report in ACTion starts with you, [Name]. Because you put ACT in Government, there's a rolling maul of good news for peaceful Kiwis working to build a better future for themselves – whether they're a retailer, a renter, a landlord, a shopper, or just trying to see a doctor.

Here’s what you helped make possible this week 👇

Empowering security guards, retailers, and businesses against crime

Feeling safe at work shouldn’t be a luxury in this country. Remember ram raids? At their peak there were 86 in August 2022 alone. That was Labour’s legacy – crime without consequences. ACT has reinstated real consequences for young offenders, and ram raids are down 85 percent. Progress, yes, and overall crime is falling too, but we know we can do more.

That’s why this week the Government introduced a new law expanding citizens’ arrest powers and creating instant penalties for shoplifters.

Here’s what changes:

  • A new shoplifting infringement regime meaning Police officers can issue immediate $500 penalties.
  • Additional citizen’s arrest powers to ensure shoplifters can be apprehended, at any time of day.
  • New specific offences for assaulting first responders or prison officers.
  • Two new specific coward punch offences.
  • Strengthening trafficking and people smuggling laws to stop criminals using loopholes to evade real consequences for crime.

And the crucial point to all of this: none of this was cooked up by Wellington officials.

A working group of retailers was established by Nicole McKee. They asked for tools to protect themselves. We delivered those tools.

These reforms sit on top of other ACT wins already making a difference:

  • Restoring Three Strikes.
  • Longer sentences for offenders who target people working alone, or people working in business connected to a home.
  • Putting the rights of victims back at the centre of our justice system.

This is the difference between ACT and the last lot. Instead of making excuses for criminals, we're backing productive, peaceful people.

IKEA arrives – and the lesson is clear: Want more? Ditch the RMA

Flat-pack furniture and Swedish meatballs – this week was a win for Kiwis who want more choice and lower costs.

On Thursday, thousands lined up at Sylvia Park because one of the biggest companies in the world fought its way through our red tape and still chose to invest here.

But it shouldn’t have been this hard.

Just look at what IKEA’s resource consent required:

  • Inviting seven different mana whenua groups for “cultural monitoring, karakia and other such cultural ceremonies” at multiple stages — each requiring 10 days’ notice.

  • “Consult[ing] with mana whenua on design aspects including erosion and sediment control measures, stormwater treatment, planting... fencing.”

It’s a miracle the store didn’t take a decade. So how do we stop this happening again?

Right now, red tape in construction, foreign investment, and resource management makes investors think twice.

The solution is obvious:

Ditch the Resource Management Act completely. It’s how we get more investment, more competition, and lower prices for everyone.

ACT has been fighting for this for years – and an announcement is coming very soon.

Fixing the relationship between landlords and pet owners

Renting to a pet owner comes with risks. But until now, landlords have been denied the option to protect themselves from the risk by charging a bond. Thanks to ACT, they now have that option.

ACT campaigned on pet bonds, we passed the legislation, and as of 1 December, it is now in place.

“More landlords would be willing to allow pets if they could protect themselves from some of the risks.

“Supporting people to find a pet-friendly rental home is part of the Government’s plan to create a well-functioning rental property market.” – David Seymour

It also matters for people in vulnerable situations:

“This policy is also important for helping victims of domestic abuse move on with their lives… Helping these people find rentals that are accepting of pets will allow them to move on safely and have a brighter future.” – David Seymour

The new rules include:

  • Landlords may require a pet bond up to two weeks’ rent.
  • Tenants will be liable for all pet damage beyond fair wear and tear.
  • Tenancy Services will enable lodgement, top-ups and refunds of pet bonds.

This is practical, compassionate policy that allows landlords and pet owners to make mutually beneficial agreements.

Hipkins still can’t answer the $13 billion question

This week Chris Hipkins went on Herald NOW, and it was awkward.

“Chris Hipkins was asked whether he would bring back Labour’s pay equity regime… His answer was clear: yes he would.” – David Seymour

But then came the real question: How would Labour pay for it?

Hipkins dodged it. He cast doubt on the $13 billion price tag of reinstating Labour's policy.

But Treasury advice has been clear: almost $13 billion in potential costs have been taken off the Government’s books thanks to Brooke van Velden's reforms. Hipkins would erase those savings.

This is the difference: ACT brings discipline. Labour brings wishful thinking and a blank cheque. And the key question remains:

How will Chris Hipkins find $13 billion? That’s close to $9,000 for every household. And the Kiwis who pay the bills deserve straight answers.

Until next week

ACT is only as strong as the supporters behind us. If you want to see more progress, more reform, and more common-sense change, a contribution today helps us keep going.

Thanks,

Team ACT
DONATE TODAY

[Name], if you like what we're doing, and wish to support us, please consider donating. As a grassroots movement, we rely on the support from Kiwis like you.

This email was sent to [Email]

You can update your email preferences here

Authorised by C Purves, Suite 2.5, 27 Gillies Avenue, Newmarket, Auckland 1023

Text Version

<https://www.act.org.nz/>Dear [Name], <https://action.act.org.nz/>
Every win we report in ACTion starts with you, [Name]. Because you put ACT in Government, there's a rolling maul of good news for peaceful Kiwis working to build a better future for themselves – whether they're a retailer, a renter, a landlord, a shopper, or just trying to see a doctor.
Here’s what you helped make possible this week 👇
Empowering security guards, retailers, and businesses against crime
Feeling safe at work shouldn’t be a luxury in this country. Remember ram raids? At their peak there were 86 in August 2022 alone. That was Labour’s legacy – crime without consequences. ACT has reinstated real consequences for young offenders, and ram raids are down 85 percent. Progress, yes, and overall crime is falling too, but we know we can do more.
That’s why this week the Government introduced a new law expanding citizens’ arrest powers and creating instant penalties for shoplifters.
Here’s what changes:
- A new shoplifting infringement regime meaning Police officers can issue immediate $500 penalties.
- Additional citizen’s arrest powers to ensure shoplifters can be apprehended, at any time of day.
- New specific offences for assaulting first responders or prison officers.
- Two new specific coward punch offences.
- Strengthening trafficking and people smuggling laws to stop criminals using loopholes to evade real consequences for crime.
And the crucial point to all of this: none of this was cooked up by Wellington officials.
A working group of retailers was established by Nicole McKee. They asked for tools to protect themselves. We delivered those tools.
These reforms sit on top of other ACT wins already making a difference:
- Restoring Three Strikes.
- Longer sentences for offenders who target people working alone, or people working in business connected to a home.
- Putting the rights of victims back at the centre of our justice system.
This is the difference between ACT and the last lot. Instead of making excuses for criminals, we're backing productive, peaceful people.
IKEA arrives – and the lesson is clear: Want more? Ditch the RMA
Flat-pack furniture and Swedish meatballs – this week was a win for Kiwis who want more choice and lower costs.
On Thursday, thousands lined up at Sylvia Park because one of the biggest companies in the world fought its way through our red tape and still chose to invest here.
But it shouldn’t have been this hard.
Just look at what IKEA’s resource consent required:
- Inviting seven different mana whenua groups for “cultural monitoring, karakia and other such cultural ceremonies” at multiple stages — each requiring 10 days’ notice.
- “Consult[ing] with mana whenua on design aspects including erosion and sediment control measures, stormwater treatment, planting... fencing.”
It’s a miracle the store didn’t take a decade. So how do we stop this happening again?
Right now, red tape in construction, foreign investment, and resource management makes investors think twice.
The solution is obvious:
Ditch the Resource Management Act completely. It’s how we get more investment, more competition, and lower prices for everyone.
ACT has been fighting for this for years – and an announcement is coming very soon.
Fixing the relationship between landlords and pet owners
<https://youtu.be/Znx9HQMZp3M to a pet owner comes with risks. But until now, landlords have been denied the option to protect themselves from the risk by charging a bond. Thanks to ACT, they now have that option.
ACT campaigned on pet bonds, we passed the legislation, and as of 1 December, it is now in place.
“More landlords would be willing to allow pets if they could protect themselves from some of the risks.
“Supporting people to find a pet-friendly rental home is part of the Government’s plan to create a well-functioning rental property market.” – David Seymour
It also matters for people in vulnerable situations:
“This policy is also important for helping victims of domestic abuse move on with their lives… Helping these people find rentals that are accepting of pets will allow them to move on safely and have a brighter future.” – David Seymour
The new rules include:
- Landlords may require a pet bond up to two weeks’ rent.
- Tenants will be liable for all pet damage beyond fair wear and tear.
- Tenancy Services will enable lodgement, top-ups and refunds of pet bonds.
This is practical, compassionate policy that allows landlords and pet owners to make mutually beneficial agreements.
Hipkins still can’t answer the $13 billion question
<https://youtu.be/Itm8QgF-fDs week Chris Hipkins went on Herald NOW, and it was awkward.
“Chris Hipkins was asked whether he would bring back Labour’s pay equity regime… His answer was clear: yes he would.” – David Seymour
But then came the real question: How would Labour pay for it?
Hipkins dodged it. He cast doubt on the $13 billion price tag of reinstating Labour's policy.
But Treasury advice has been clear: almost $13 billion in potential costs have been taken off the Government’s books thanks to Brooke van Velden's reforms. Hipkins would erase those savings.
This is the difference: ACT brings discipline. Labour brings wishful thinking and a blank cheque.And the key question remains:
How will Chris Hipkins find $13 billion? That’s close to $9,000 for every household. And the Kiwis who pay the bills deserve straight answers.
Until next week
ACT is only as strong as the supporters behind us. If you want to see more progress, more reform, and more common-sense change, a contribution today helps us keep going. <https://action.act.org.nz/campaign-26>
Thanks,
Team ACT
<https://action.act.org.nz/donate>DONATE TODAY <https://action.act.org.nz/donate>[Name], if you like what we're doing, and wish to support us, please consider donating. As a grassroots movement, we rely on the support from Kiwis like you.
This email was sent to [Email] <https://action.act.org.nz/unsubscribe>
You can update your email preferences here <https://action.act.org.nz/unsubscribe>
Authorised by C Purves, Suite 2.5, 27 Gillies Avenue, Newmarket, Auckland 1023