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Planning Bill

Foundations - National instruments - National policy direction

57: National policy direction to resolve conflicts between goals in both Acts

You could also call this:

"A national policy to help balance development and the environment in New Zealand"

The Minister can make a national policy direction to help resolve conflicts between goals in two Acts. You need to know the Minister can consider goals from either Act when making this direction. The Minister must think about whether the proposal allows development within environmental limits and its impact on the built environment, now and in the long term. The Minister thinks about the long term impact, which is an impact that lasts for two or more human generations. You should understand that the Minister's decision will affect how development happens in New Zealand, and how it balances the environment and the built environment.

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View the original legislation for this page at https://legislation.govt.nz/act/public/1986/0120/latest/link.aspx?id=LMS1511165.

This page was last updated on 12 December 2025 — View changes

Topics:

Environment and resources > ConservationEnvironment and resources > Town planningHousing and property > Land use

56: National policy direction may restrict how goals may be achieved, or

"The government can set rules that limit how goals are achieved, but must explain why."

58: National standards required for specified content, or

"National rules to guide planning decisions"

Part 2Foundations
National instruments: National policy direction

57National policy direction to resolve conflicts between goals in both Acts

If the purpose of a proposed national policy direction is to help resolve conflicts between the goals in section 11 and the goals in section 11 of the Natural Environment Act 2025,—
the Minister may consider any or all of the goals of either Act; and
the Minister must consider—
1. whether the proposal enables development to occur within environmental limits; and
2. the current and long term impact of the proposal on the built environment.

In this section, long term impact means an impact spanning 2 or more human generations.