Source: Ministry for Primary Industries
About this consultation
The Ministry for the Environment (MfE) and the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) are jointly running this consultation.
On this page, we have some background information and a summary of potential amendments to the National Policy Statement for Highly Productive Land (NPS-HPL).
Further details, consultation documents, and information about how to make a submission are on MfE’s website. This consultation is open for submissions between 5 September and 31 October 2023.
Managing highly productive land – Ministry for the Environment
Background to this consultation
The NPS-HPL came into force in October 2022.
The objective of the NPS-HPL is to protect highly productive land so it can be used for land-based primary production. To do this, the NPS-HPL restricts inappropriate use, development, or subdivision of highly productive land.
Highly productive land provides significant economic and employment benefits to communities and underpins the value of Aotearoa New Zealand’s primary sector.
National Policy Statement for Highly Productive Land 2022
Summary of potential amendments to the NPS-HPL
Feedback is being sought on potential amendments to the NPS-HPL.
Since the policy was introduced, 2 issues have been raised about its restrictions on the use and development of highly productive land for activities that don’t rely on soil.
Only these 2 issues are being consulted on. They are the:
- lack of a clear consent pathway for the construction of new specified infrastructure on highly productive land in clause 3.9(2)(j)(i). Specified infrastructure can include developments such as solar farms and infrastructure needed at pace, for example to support the recovery after Cyclone Gabrielle.
- absence of a clear consent pathway for developing and relocating intensive indoor primary production and greenhouses on highly productive land.
Making your submission
Submissions must be received by the Ministry for the Environment (MfE) by 11.59pm on 31 October 2023.
Information about how to make a submission is on MfE’s website.
Managing highly productive land – Ministry for the Environment
