National Policy Statement for Highly Productive Land.

This policy aims to protect and manage land that is highly productive for agriculture and other primary production activities. The document defines urban zones and outlines exemptions for highly productive land subject to permanent or long term constraints. Territorial authorities are required to include objectives, policies, and rules in their district plans to give effect to the National Policy Statement. The document emphasizes the importance of avoiding significant loss of productive capacity, fragmentation of large areas of highly productive land, and reverse sensitivity effects on surrounding land based primary production. It also highlights the need to consider environmental, social, cultural, and economic benefits when making decisions about the use of highly productive land. The implementation section provides a non exhaustive list of actions that local authorities must take to fulfill the objectives and policies of the National Policy Statement.