Potential amendments to the National Policy Statement for Highly Productive Land

About the NPS-HPL

Since the NPS-HPL took effect in 2022, concerns have been raised about how it may restrict the development of activities not relying on highly productive land (HPL) but needing to be located on it for particular reasons. The activities include:

• renewable electricity generation (particularly solar)
• intensive indoor primary production (e.g indoor pig, poultry and mushroom farms)
• greenhouses.

An estimated 15 per cent of land in Aotearoa New Zealand is highly productive, but urban expansion into rural areas and fragmentation for rural lifestyle development has reduced the availability of HPL for land-based primary production. HPL is important so the primary sector can produce and provide local high-value food and fibre.

Consultation

• More information on managing the use and development of highly productive land

The Government sought feedback from those interested in renewable electricity generation, indoor primary production and greenhouses. 

The consultation closed on 31 October 2023.