National Policy Statement for Infrastructure 2025

The National Policy Statement for Infrastructure (NPS-I) provides national direction under the Resource Management Act 1991 (RMA) to guide the efficient development, management, and upgrading of infrastructure across New Zealand.

It recognises infrastructure as nationally significant and aims to support community wellbeing, health, and safety, while ensuring environmental impacts are appropriately managed. 

Official title

National Policy Statement for Infrastructure 2025

Under the

Resource Management Act 1991

Lead agency

Ministry for the Environment

Last updated:

On this page

Why is the NPS-I needed
What does the NPS I cover
How was it prepared

Full text

National Policy Statement for Infrastructure 2025

In force from

15 January 2026 

Gazette notice

Notice of gazettal [NZ Gazette website]

Why is the NPS-I needed

Infrastructure is essential for supporting the wellbeing, health, and safety of communities. Historically, the strategic importance of infrastructure has not been fully recognised in resource management decisions, leading to inconsistent outcomes, delays, and increased costs. The NPS-I addresses these issues by: 

  • recognising infrastructure as an interconnected network serving the public good 
  • providing clear national direction for development, maintenance, and upgrades 
  • supporting consistent, coordinated planning and resilience to climate change.

What does the NPS I cover

The NPS-I requires decision-makers to recognise infrastructure as nationally significant under the RMA and provides national direction to support its development, maintenance and upgrades while still addressing adverse impacts. The NPS-I applies to all decisions under the RMA affecting the operation, maintenance, renewal, and upgrade of existing infrastructure, as well as new infrastructure development. 

Exclusions: 

  • Renewable electricity generation (covered by the National Policy Statement for Renewable Electricity Generation).
  • Electricity transmission and distribution networks (covered by the National Policy Statement for Electricity Networks).
  • Freshwater allocation and prioritisation (addressed by regional councils).

The NPS-I aligns with other national policy statements (e.g., NPS for Electricity Networks, and NPS for Renewable Electricity Generation) but does not override protections for values of national importance under the RMA. 

How was it prepared

The Government consulted on proposals to prepare or amend national direction, including a proposed National Policy Statement for Infrastructure in May to July 2025. Consultation closed on 27 July 2025.  

A Recommendations and Decisions report summarising submissions received, officials' recommendations, and the Minister Responsible for RMA Reform's decisions on the proposal is now available. 

View the Recommendations and Decisions Report on NPS-I 

View the Infrastructure, development and primary sector national direction consultation

The Governor-General, on recommendation from the Minister Responsible for RMA Reform, approved the National Policy Statement on 15 December 2025 and it comes into force on 15 January 2026.

Summary of the NPS-I

See summary of the NPS-I.

Regulatory impact statement

Regulatory impact statement NPS-I