Govt Frees Up Land for Development While Strengthening Natural Hazard Resilience

McClay said the changes reflect feedback received during public consultation and respond to concerns from rural communities.

New Government planning reforms aimed at unlocking land for development, protecting food production, and improving resilience to natural hazards have come into force today, RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop and Agriculture Minister Todd McClay announced.

The changes amend the National Policy Statement for Highly Productive Land (NPS-HPL) and introduce a new National Policy Statement for Natural Hazards, providing councils with clearer, more flexible national direction under the Resource Management Act (RMA).

“These reforms make it easier to deliver the development New Zealand needs while still protecting our most productive land and strengthening resilience to natural hazards,” Bishop said.

More Flexibility for Housing on Moderately Productive Land

The amended NPS-HPL introduces a more enabling approach to Land Use Capability Class 3 (LUC3) land—moderately productive land that remains suitable for farming but has fewer constraints than the most productive soils.

“We want to better enable greenfield development while retaining strong protections for our best land,” Bishop said. “This change strikes a better balance between food production and the urgent need for housing.”

Under the changes:

• LUC1, LUC2 and LUC3 land remain protected

• Urban development on LUC3 land is now easier, where appropriate

• Protections for high-value primary production are retained

McClay said the changes reflect feedback received during public consultation and respond to concerns from rural communities.

“What this does is protect food production while giving farmers and growers more flexibility in how their land is used,” he said.

The Government also confirmed it will pause the proposal to establish “Special Agricultural Areas”, following consultation feedback.

New National Direction on Natural Hazard Risks

Alongside land-use changes, the Government has introduced a new National Policy Statement for Natural Hazards, setting a consistent, risk-based framework for how councils plan for hazards such as flooding, erosion, and storms.

“New Zealand is particularly vulnerable to natural hazards, many of which are being intensified by climate change,” Bishop said.

“The new NPS ensures councils take a proportionate and consistent approach to managing risk, helping communities become safer and more resilient while still enabling development.”

The policy is designed to reduce uncertainty, improve planning outcomes, and avoid blanket restrictions that can unnecessarily block housing and infrastructure.

Immediate Benefits Ahead of Full Planning Reform

The Government says these changes allow New Zealanders to see tangible benefits now, rather than waiting for the full replacement of the RMA.

“Together, these reforms support better planning decisions, enable much-needed housing and infrastructure, and strengthen long-term resilience,” Bishop said.

“Communities and councils have been asking for clearer direction for some time. This is an important step toward a simpler, more enabling planning system.”