Plain language law

New Zealand law explained for everyone

This page is about a bill. That means that it's not the law yet, but some people want it to be the law. It could change quickly, and some of the information is just a draft.

Natural Environment Bill

Foundations - National instruments - National policy direction

80: National policy direction may restrict how goals may be achieved

You could also call this:

"The government can make rules that limit how environmental goals are achieved."

Illustration for Natural Environment Bill

The government is thinking about making a new rule that could limit how some goals are achieved. You might be wondering how this will work. The Minister will have to make sure the new rule does not unfairly stop local authorities from doing their job to manage natural resources. The Minister must also check that the new rule will not stop other important goals from being achieved. You need to know that the Minister has to think about how the new rule will affect people and the environment. The Minister has to make sure the new rule will not cause severe and irreversible harm. If the Minister decides to make this new rule, they will have to write a report explaining why they think it is a good idea, as part of the process outlined in section 70. This report will say why the Minister believes the new rule meets the necessary requirements, as stated in subsection (2). You can find more information about this process in section 70.

This text is automatically generated. It might be out of date or be missing some parts. Find out more about how we do this.

View the original legislation for this page at https://legislation.govt.nz/act/public/1986/0120/latest/link.aspx?id=LMS1520903.

This page was last updated on — View changes

Topics:
Environment and resources > ConservationEnvironment and resources > Town planningGovernment and voting > Government departments
Previous

79: Content of national policy direction, or

"What a National Policy Direction Must Include"

Next

81: National policy direction to resolve conflicts between goals in both Acts, or

"A national plan to balance environment and development goals"

Part 2Foundations
National instruments: National policy direction

80National policy direction may restrict how goals may be achieved

  1. A national policy direction may—

  2. require that compliance with its objectives, policies, or directives are the only ways in which a goal may be achieved:
    1. restrict how a specified key instrument achieves a goal.

      1. Before making a direction under this section, the Minister must be satisfied that—

      2. the direction does not unreasonably restrict the ability of local authorities to undertake their functions and responsibilities to manage natural resources; and
        1. the restrictions imposed by the direction in respect of a goal does not unreasonably restrict the achievement of other goals; and
          1. the direction will not result in severe and irreversible adverse effects to people and the natural environment.

            1. If the Minister makes a direction under this section, the Minister must include, as a part of the process established under section 70, a report stating why they consider the requirements of subsection (2) are met.