National Policy Statements and National Environmental Statements
National Policy Statements
Issued under the RMA, national policy statements provide national direction for matters of national significance that are relevant to sustainable management. They are prepared by central government and contain objectives, policies and methods that must be given effect to by regional policy statements and regional and district plans. They must also be given regard to by consent authorities when making decisions on resource consent applications, alongside other considerations.
Current national policy statements include:
- National Policy Statement for Freshwater Management 2020
- National Policy Statement for Renewable Electricity Generation 2011
- National Policy Statement on Electricity Transmission 2008
- National Policy Statement on Urban Development 2020
- New Zealand Coastal Policy Statement 2010
National policy statements under development by central government include:
- Proposed National Policy Statement for Indigenous Biodiversity
- Proposed National Policy Statement for Highly Productive Land
- Proposed National Policy Statement for Natural Hazard Decision-Making
- Proposed National Policy Statement for Electricity Transmission
- Proposed National Policy Statement for Renewable Electricity Generation
National Environmental Standards
National environment standards are prepared by central government and can prescribe technical standards, methods (including rules) and/or other requirements for environmental matters throughout the whole country or specific areas. They must be observed and enforced by local authorities. If an activity doesn’t comply with an national environmental standard, it is likely to require a resource consent from the relevant local authority.
The following NESs are currently in force:
- National Environmental Standard on Plantation Forestry 2017
- National Environmental Standards for Telecommunication Facilities 2016
- National Environmental Standard for Assessing and Managing Contaminants in Soil to Protect Human Health 2011
- National Environmental Standards for Electricity Transmission Activities 2009
- National Environmental Standard for Sources of Human Drinking Water 2007
- National Environmental Standards for Air Quality 2004 (amended 2011)
- National Environmental Standards for Freshwater 2020
- National Environmental Standard for Marine Aquaculture 2020
- National Environmental Standards for Storing Tyres Outdoors 2021
If you would like further information regarding this National Policy Statements and National Environmental Standards, please contact the Environmental Planning Administrator on 03 546 0200 or environmental.planning@ncc.govt.nz.