The Minister Responsible for RMA Reform acting for the Minister for the Environment hereby gives notice of amendments made under section 53(1) of the Resource Management Act 1991 to the National Policy Statement for Highly Productive Land 2022 (New Zealand Gazette, 19 September 2022, Notice No. 2022-sl3900).

Pursuant to section 52(2) of the Resource Management Act 1991, Her Excellency the Governor-General, acting on the advice and with the consent of the Executive Council and on the recommendation of the Minister Responsible for RMA Reform acting for the Minister for the Environment (having satisfied the requirements of that Act), approves the National Policy Statement for Highly Productive Land Amendment 2025.

1. Title

This is the National Policy Statement for Highly Productive Land Amendment 2025.

2. Commencement

This amendment to the National Policy Statement comes into force on 15 January 2026.

3. Principal Instrument

This instrument amends the National Policy Statement for Highly Productive Land 2022.

4. Clause 1.3 Amended (Interpretation)

Insert new definitions:

“ancillary activity has the meaning in Standard 14 (Definitions Standard) of the National Planning Standards

quarrying activities has the meaning in Standard 14 (Definitions Standard) of the National Planning Standards”

Amend the definition of “LUC 1, 2, or 3 land” to:

1. Add a comma after “New Zealand Land Resource Inventory” and
2. include the words “in place at the commencement date” after the words “any more detailed mapping”.

5. Clause 3.5 Amended

Amend clause 3.5(1) to delete the words “As soon as practicable, and no later than 3 years after the commencement date”.

Amend clause 3.5(2) to delete the words “over the 3 years following the commencement date”.

Amend clause 3.5(7) to delete the words “at the commencement date” in the chapeau.

Amend clause 3.5(7)(a)(i) to insert the words “at the commencement date” after the words “or rural production”.

Amend clause 3.5(7)(b)(i) to insert the words “at the commencement date” after the words “future urban development”.

Amend clause 3.5(7)(b)(ii) to insert the words “at the commencement date; or” after the words “or rural lifestyle”.

Amend clause 3.5(7)(b)(ii) to delete full stop and add “; or”.

Add new clause 3.5(7)(b)(iii):

“subject to a resource consent application for subdivision, use or development on LUC 3 land for any activity other than rural lifestyle, where that consent has been lodged at or after the commencement date”.

6. Clause 3.6 Amended

Add new clause 3.6(6):

“Clauses 3.6(1), 3.6(2), 3.6(3) and 3.6(4) do not apply to urban rezoning of LUC 3 land”.

7. Clause 3.9 Amended

Amend clause 3.9(2)(j)(iii) to:

1. delete the words “mineral extraction” and replace with the words “the extraction of minerals and ancillary activities”;
2. amend “provides” to “provide”;
3. add the words “or regional” after “national”;
4. delete the word “public”; and
5. delete the words “that could not otherwise be achieved using resources within New Zealand”.

Amend clause 3.9(2)(j)(iv) to:

1. delete the words “aggregate extraction” and replace with the words “quarrying activities”;
2. amend “provides” to “provide”;

5. delete the word “public”; and
6. delete the words “that could not otherwise be achieved using resources within New Zealand”.

8. Clause 4.1 Amended

Insert new clause 4.1(2):

“(2) Despite (1) above, regional councils are not required to undertake mapping of highly productive land in regional policy statements as required under clause 3.5 prior to 31 December 2027.”

Amend the numbering of clause 4.1(2) to 4.1(3).

Dated at Wellington this 15th day of December 2025.

Hon CHRIS BISHOP for the Minister for the Environment.