Infrastructure, development and primary sector national direction

Closes 27 Jul 2025

Opened 29 May 2025

Contact

ndprogramme@mfe.govt.nz

Overview

The Government is calling for feedback on proposals to change and inform development of national direction under the resource management system. 

Package 1: Infrastructure and development   

The Government’s aim is to make it easier for councils to plan and deliver infrastructure. This package contains proposals for four new national direction instruments and amendments to four existing national direction instruments.  
 
Instruments in Package 1: Infrastructure and development:

  • New National Policy Statement for Infrastructure  
  • Amendments to the National Policy Statement for Renewable Electricity Generation 
  • Amendments to the National Policy Statement on Electricity Transmission (change title to the National Policy Statement for Electricity Networks) 
  • Amendments to the National Environmental Standards for Electricity Transmission Activities (change title to National Environmental Standards for Electricity Network Activities) 
  • Amendments to the National Environmental Standards for Telecommunication Facilities 
  • New National Environmental Standards for Granny Flats  
  • New National Environmental Standards for Papakāinga  
  • New National Policy Statement for Natural Hazards  

Read the package 1: infrastructure and development discussion document

Previous proposals to amend the National Policy Statement for Renewable Electricity Generation 2011, the National Policy Statement on Electricity Transmission 2008 and a proposed National Policy Statement for Natural Hazards Decision-Making have been withdrawn. Read the full public notice.

Package 2: Primary sector  

The Government’s aim is to enable growth in the primary sector by making changes to eight existing national direction instruments.  

Instruments in Package 2: Primary sector:

  • Amendments to the National Environmental Standards for Marine Aquaculture  
  • Amendments to the National Environmental Standards for Commercial Forestry 
  • Amendments to the New Zealand Coastal Policy Statement  
  • Amendments to the National Policy Statement for Highly Productive Land  
  • Amendments to the Stock Exclusion Regulations  
  • Amendments to the mining and quarrying provisions in: 
    • National Policy Statement for Indigenous Biodiversity  
    • National Policy Statement for Highly Productive Land  
    • National Policy Statement for Freshwater Management   
    • National Environmental Standards for Freshwater.

Read the package 2: primary sector discussion document

See the interim Regulatory Impact Statements for national direction

Other consultations

We are consulting on other proposals for national direction:

Webinars

We hosted four online webinars on the proposals in packages 1, 2 and 3 and to answer questions.  

Package 1 - Infrastructure and development

View Package 1- Infrastructure and development

Slide pack for Package 1 (PDF, 1MB)

Package 2: Primary sector and Package 3: Freshwater

View Package 2: Primary sector and Package 3: Freshwater

Start the video at the freshwater section

Slide pack for - Package 2 and 3 (PDF, 1MB)

Webinar questions and answers

See responses to questions asked during webinars.

Forums

We are running the following online forums on specific topics in packages 1 and 2.

We recommend checking this page regularly for any updates to information on forums.

Forums Date Time Intended audience/topic Registration link
National Direction Forum 1 - Infrastructure Tuesday 17 June 10am - 11am Opportunity to ask questions about various aspects of the new NPS Infrastructure and NES Telecommunication Facilities. Register here
National Direction Forum 2 - Energy Wednesday 18 June 10am - 11am Covers proposals to change energy national direction, under section 46A of the Resource Management Act. Register here
National Direction Forum 3 - Coastal Marine Wednesday 18 June 2pm - 3pm Covers proposals to change the NZ Coastal Marine Policy Statement 2010 and the National Environmental Statement for Aquaculture. Register here
National Direction Forum 4 - Commercial Forestry Monday 23 June 2pm - 3pm Covers proposals to change the National Environmental Standards for Commercial Forestry, under section 46A of the Resource Management Act.  Register here
National Direction Forum 5 - Housing Development Tuesday 24 June 2pm - 3pm

Covers proposals to create or change housing national direction, under section 46A of the Resource Management Act.

 Register here
National Direction Forum 6 - Natural Hazards Wednesday 25 June 10am - 11am Covers proposals to create a new National Policy Statement for Natural Hazards, under section 46A of the Resource Management Act.   Register here
National Direction Forum 7 - Quarrying and Mining Thursday 26 June 10am - 11am Covers proposals to change national direction that impacts the quarrying and mining sectors, under section 46A of the Resource Management Act.  Register here

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