Several Labour and Green MPs including Parker, Rachel Brooking, Tāmati Coffey, Eugenie Sage, Anahila Kanongata'a-Suisuiki, Duncan Webb, Lemauga Lydia Sosene and Angie Warren-Clark argued that the SPA would help simplify the resource consent process for housing, infrastructural development, and spatial planning.

By contrast, National and ACT MPs including Scott Simpson, Stuart Smith, Simon Court, Sam Uffindell, and David Bennett expressed concerns about red tape and centralisation, and claimed that the bill would do little to address the housing shortage.

The SPA passed its first reading by a margin of 74 (Labour and the Greens) to 45 votes (National, ACT, and Te Pāti Māori), and was referred to the Environment select committee.

These amendments included promoting integration in the functions of the regional spatial strategies (RSS) with the NBA, upholding te Oranga o te Taiao, promoting integration between the RSS and proposed water services entities, clarifying the role of Māori iwi (tribes) and hapū (sub-groups) in the bill, and clarifying the wording around the regional spatial planning process and the transitional process from the RMA framework.

National's minority report claimed that the SPA created legal uncertainty, increased bureaucracy, complicated decarbonisation efforts, and undermined property rights.

Labour MPs Parker, Brooking, Phil Twyford, Warren-Clark, Arena Williams, Tracey McLellan, and Sosene, and Green MP Sage gave speeches defending the Bill.

Labour MPs Parker, Brooking, Twyford, Warren-Clark, Sarah Pallett, Dan Rosewarne, and Sosene and Green MP Sage spoke in favour of the Bill.