National Policy Statement for Electricity Networks

The Government consulted on proposals to prepare or amend national direction, including amending the National Policy Statement on Electricity Transmission.

Consultation closed on 27 July 2025. The Recommendations and Decisions Report summarising submissions received, officials' recommendations, and the Minister Responsible for RMA Reform's decisions on the proposed amendments is now available.  

View the Recommendations and Decisions Report.

View the Infrastructure, development and primary sector national direction consultation

The Governor-General, on recommendation from the Minister Responsible for RMA Reform approved amendments to the National Policy Statement on 15 December 2025. These amendments came into force on 15 January 2026.

Regulatory impact statement

Regulatory impact statement for NPS-EN

Previous Government review

The previous Government commenced the process to amend the National Policy Statement on Electricity Transmission with consultation closing in 2023. 

See the proposals [MBIE website]

The Minister Responsible for RMA Reform* has withdrawn this amendment in accordance with section 51A of the RMA because it is superseded by a new proposal.

*instead of the Minister for the Environment (in accordance with section 7 of the Constitution Act 1986)

The efficient transmission of electricity on the national grid plays a vital role in the well-being of New Zealand, its people and the environment.

The national grid is the high voltage transmission network that carries electricity around the country. It is made up of over 12,000 kilometres of high-voltage transmission lines and more than 165 substations. It connects power stations to substations that feed local electricity distribution networks.

The Government developed a national policy statement to acknowledge the national significance of the national grid and to ensure there is balanced consideration of the national benefits and the local effects of electricity transmission. Previously, there was no national framework that local government could use when they decided on proposals for transmission lines.

The NPS provides a high-level framework that gives guidance across New Zealand for the management and future planning of the national grid.

It does the following:

• acknowledges the national significance of the national grid, which has to be considered in local decision making on resource management
• gives guidance to local decision makers in the management of the impacts of the transmission network on its environment
• recognises the national benefits we all get from electricity transmission, such as better security of supply of electricity
• guides the management of the adverse effects of activities from third parties on the grid which helps reduce constraints on the operation, maintenance, upgrading and development of the grid
• ensures long-term strategic planning for elements of the national grid.

The NPS directly affects decision-makers in local government. They have to take the NPS into account when drafting plans and have regard for it when making decisions about resource consents, alongside other considerations under the RMA.

The NPS does not refer to any individual transmission network projects but it forms part of the overall policy framework and contains policies that will need to be taken into account when individual projects are considered under the RMA.

The NPS will also have to be considered by the grid operator.

Implementation guidance

The following guidance provides commentary and examples to help councils give effect to the NPS. 

• Implementation guidance for local authorities

There has been some confusion regarding the NPS and section 55 RMA requirements. The preamble to the NPS refers to section 55 of the RMA prior to the 2009 amendments. As a result councils have an obligation to use the process set out in Schedule 1 of the RMA to process any plan change or review required to give effect to the NPS.

Guidance on risks of development near high-voltage transmission lines

The NPS requires local authorities to manage adverse effects caused by development near high-voltage transmission lines.

• Further guidance on risks of development near high-voltage transmission lines

The National Environmental Standards for Electricity Transmission Activities are regulations which set out specific detailed requirements for work on electricity transmission lines. They help councils implement the NPS policies relating to the existing transmission network.

For more information see the National Environmental Standards for Electricity Transmission Activities.

The NPS incorporates the following material by reference:

• International Commission on Non-ionising Radiation Protection Guidelines for limiting exposure to time varying electric magnetic fields (up to 300 GHz) (Health Physics, 1998, 74(4): 494-522)
• World Health Organisation monograph Environment Health Criteria (No 238, June 2007)

This incorporated material can be inspected by appointment free of charge from the Ministry for the Environment’s head office at the following address.

Environment House
23 Kate Sheppard Place
Thorndon
Wellington 6011
New Zealand

To make an appointment to inspect the incorporated material, please email information.centre@mfe.govt.nz

Photocopying of incorporated material will not be permitted.

Cabinet papers and related materials