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April 2019These national planning standards have been superseded by updated national planning standards which incorporate some minor changes. Read more -
March 2019This updated National Implementation Plan outlines measures to implement our obligations relating to new persistent organic pollutants added to the Stockholm Convention in 2009, 2013, 2015, and 2017. It also reports on New Zealand’s achievements in phasing out the 12 initial POPs. Read more -
November 2018This report assesses how well we are developing and maintaining the regulatory regimes we are responsible for, including the state of each piece of legislation, any plans for amendments, and our view of important emerging issues. Read more -
October 2018This factsheet provides further guidance on assessing the feasibility of housing development capacity for local authorities that are completing their housing and business development capacity assessments. It clarifies the requirement assess the feasibility of housing development capacity based on current market conditions. Read more -
October 2018Our annual report 2017/18 provides information on how we’ve performed during 2017/18. Read more -
August 2018This users’ guide is to help councils and the telecommunications industry understand and implement the National Environmental Standards for Telecommunication Facilities. Read more -
July 2018This report evaluates the Housing and Business Development Capacity Assessments (HBAs) from the high-growth urban areas, and suggests how future HBAs can be improved. It aims to help those who are also producing a HBA, such as the medium-growth councils, as well as indicates to the high-growth councils where improvements can be made in future HBAs. Read more -
July 2018 -
July 2018These guidelines will help councils with their compliance, monitoring and enforcement responsibilities under the Resource Management Act. Read more -
June 2018The Ministry for the Environment commissioned Castalia to conduct an economic evaluation of the costs and benefits associated with the introduction of the first set of draft national planning standards. Read more -
June 2018Part 1 provides an overarching introduction to the purpose of a section 32 evaluation report and discusses the legislative requirements that underpin it. Read more -
June 2018Part 2A of the National Planning Standards Section 32 evaluation report provides a detailed evaluation of the plan and policy statement structure and format standards. Read more -
June 2018Part 2B of the National Planning Standards Section 32 evaluation report provides a detailed evaluation of the spatial planning tools and zone framework standards. Read more -
June 2018Part 2C of the National Planning Standards Section 32 evaluation report provides a detailed evaluation of the definitions standard. Read more -
June 2018Part 2D of the National Planning Standards Section 32 evaluation report provides a detailed evaluation of the noise and vibrations metrics standard. Read more -
June 2018Part 2E of the National Planning Standards Section 32 evaluation report provides a detailed evaluation of the electronic functionality and accessibility and mapping standards. Read more -
June 2018Part 2F of the National Planning Standards Section 32 evaluation report provides a detailed evaluation of the Tangata whenua provisions standard. Read more -
June 2018Part 3 of this report discusses the proposed implementation approach of the first set of National Planning Standards. Read more -
June 2018The consultation document gives an overview of the draft first set of National Planning Standards (planning standards), what they aim to achieve, and implementation considerations. This consultation document is a companion to the draft first set of planning standards. Read more -
June 2018The draft planning standards provide national consistency for the structure, form, definitions and electronic accessibility of Resource Management Act 1991 (RMA) plans and policy statements to make them more efficient and easier to prepare and use. Read more -
May 2018This guidance is to help local authorities submit the National Monitoring System information that is required for the period 1 July 2018 to 30 June 2019. The information is due by 31 July 2019. Read more -
May 2018Our Science Strategy Rautaki Pūtaiao sets out how we want to work with and use science at the Ministry. Read more -
April 2018Mana Whakahono ā Rohe is a new tool designed to assist tangata whenua and local authorities discuss, agree and record how they will work together under the Resource Management Act. This guidance explains how the legislation can be implemented and provides ideas about what could be included in a Mana Whakahono ā Rohe arrangement. Read more -
March 2018This non-statutory application form is to help councils that wish to request a streamlined planning process under section 80C of the RMA. It includes the information requirements that are set out in clause 74 of Schedule 1. Read more -
March 2018This guide helps councils to make a request to the Minister for a streamlined planning process. It explains the streamlined planning process, including altered decision and appeal processes. Read more -
March 2018A new streamlined planning process (SPP) was introduced by Resource Legislation Amendment Act 2017, which took effect on 19 April 2017. This flow chart shows the steps involved in the Streamlined Planning Process. It should be read in conjunction with the SPP technical guidance. Read more -
March 2018This report sets out our research on tangata whenua provisions in district and regional planning documents and discusses their variation. Read more -
December 2017This guide relates to the requirements in the National Policy Statement on Urban Development Capacity for local authorities to set targets in their regional policy statements and district plans (policies PC5 – PC 11). Read more -
December 2017This guide provides recommendations on how to give effect to the requirements of the National Policy Statement on Urban Development Capacity to produce the future development strategy (policies PC12 - PC14). Read more -
December 2017This package of briefings was provided to the incoming Minister for the Environment and Minister for Climate in October 2017. Read more -
December 2017This report outlines a national sampling plan for the 8-km Grid to help multiple agencies coordinate the monitoring they undertake on the Grid. Read more -
December 2017This research identifies international and domestic trends and best practice for urban growth management strategies and recommends what guidance could be developed for councils to assist them to meet policies PC12, PC13 and PC14 of the National Policy Statement on Urban Development Capacity. Read more -
October 2017Our Statement of Intent 2017–2021 and Annual Report 2016/17 provides information about our plans for the next four years and how we’ve performed during 2016/17. Read more -
September 2017This document provides a two-page summary of the National Policy Statement on Urban Development Capacity. Read more -
September 2017The purpose of this guide is to help professionals understand and successfully implement deemed permitted activity processes under sections 87BA and 87BB of the Resource Management Act 1991, brought in by the Resource Legislation Amendment Act 2017. These sections come in force from 18 October 2017. Read more -
September 2017This report investigates how the structure, format, and presentation of RMA plans impact the ability of lay people to navigate and understand the plan provisions. Read more -
September 2017The deemed permitted boundary activity process was introduced by RLAA, to take effect from 18 October 2017. This provides guidance to assist councils with processing these applications. Read more -
August 2017The National Environmental Standards for Plantation Forestry (NES-PF) mark a significant change in the way forestry activities are managed under the Resource Management Act. This brochure provides an overview of the regulations for the councils and foresters. Read more -
August 2017This document provides guidance for planners and engineers on managing risks from liquefaction. It covers how to determine if liquefaction is an issue that needs to be managed, and appropriate land-use planning and building controls. Read more -
August 2017The Ministry commissioned this report to analyse how regional, unitary and district councils are managing biodiversity through planning documents under the Resource Management Act. Read more -
July 2017This report assesses how well we are developing and maintaining the regulatory regimes that we are responsible for, including the current state of each piece of legislation, any plans for amendments, and our view of important emerging issues. Read more -
July 2017The expenses of the Ministry for the Environment’s Chief Executive for the period 1 July 2016 - 30 June 2017. Read more -
June 2017This draft guidance is for councils or participants considering, or carrying out, a collaborative planning process under Part 4, Schedule 1 of the Resource Management Act 1991. Read more -
June 2017This guidance is for territorial authorities considering, or undertaking, a collaborative planning process to review, prepare or change a proposed plan, which will include addressing designations, heritage orders or notices of requirement. Read more -
June 2017This guidance supports local authorities to give effect to evidence and monitoring requirements in the National Policy Statement on Urban Development Capacity (see policies PB1 – PB7 and PD1). Read more -
June 2017This guidance is to help local authorities submit the National Monitoring System information requirements for the period 1 July 2017 to 30 June 2018. Read more -
June 2017The 2017 Four Year Plan sets out the Ministry for the Environment’s strategic intentions for 2017/18 to 2020/2021. The Four Year Plan was prepared before Budget 2017 and was current at May 2017. Read more -
June 2017This brochure provides a high level overview of the main legislative changes made by the Resource Legislation Amendment Act 2017. It provides a useful summary for councillors, executives and members of the public. Read more -
June 2017This briefing was provided to the Associate Minister for the Environment in May 2017. Read more -
May 2017This report examines how national policy statements on energy and electricity have been implemented and how they could be incorporated into the proposed National Planning Standards. Read more