On 12 December 2025, the Ministry for the Environment updated the National Direction under the Resource Management Act 1991 (RMA), with ten new or amended National Environmental Standards (NESs) and National Policy Statements (NPSs) released, to come into effect on 15 January 2026.
The stated intent of these new and amended documents is to aid councils in planning and developing infrastructure, and to support growth in the primary sector.
There is one new NES and two new NPSs:
· National Policy Statement for Natural Hazards 2025
· National Policy Statement for Infrastructure 2025
In addition, one NES and six NPSs have been amended:
· National Policy Statement for Highly Productive Land Amendment 2025
· New Zealand Coastal Policy Statement Amendment 2025
· National Policy Statement for Indigenous Biodiversity Amendment 2025
· National Policy Statement for Freshwater Management Amendment 2025
· Resource Management (National Environmental Standards for Freshwater) Amendment Regulations 2025
· National Policy Statement for Renewable Electricity Generation Amendment 2025
· National Policy Statement for Electricity Networks Amendment 2025
All new and amended documents will take immediate effect under the RMA and related legislation on the commencement date of 15 January 2026. These documents will also guide the design of the new planning system and, where appropriate, will be incorporated into that system. Projects progressing through consenting processes, including under the Fast-track Approvals Act, with decisions expected after 15 January 2026, will be subject to these new and amended instruments.
Our national environment and resource management team has extensive experience in previous reform cycles and has been closely following the developments in this area, and their likely implications. We are well positioned to advise clients on what these changes might mean for their upcoming projects or existing undertakings and responsibilities. Please contact a member of our team if you would like to discuss the potential implications of these new and amended national direction documents, and what they may mean for you.
Co-authored by Noah Kerbers (Law Clerk).
