National Policy Statement for Highly Productive Land 2022.

The National Policy Statement for Highly Productive Land 2022 is a policy aimed at protecting and managing highly productive land in New Zealand. It came provides guidance to local authorities on identifying, mapping, and safeguarding highly productive land for current and future generations. The policy prioritizes the use of highly productive land for land-based primary production and sets strict criteria for its rezoning, subdivision, or development for non-agricultural purposes. It requires regional councils to map highly productive land and include it in regional policy statements within three years of the commencement date. Territorial authorities must then incorporate these maps into their district plans. The policy outlines specific conditions under which urban rezoning, rural lifestyle development, or subdivision of highly productive land may be permitted, emphasizing the need to avoid or mitigate potential adverse effects on land-based primary production. It also addresses the management of reverse sensitivity effects and encourages the maintenance and enhancement of the productive capacity of highly productive land. The policy promotes integrated management, active involvement of indigenous people, and consideration of environmental, social, cultural, and economic factors in decision-making processes related to highly productive land. Local authorities are required to implement the policy's objectives through their regional and district plans, with specific timeframes provided for compliance.