Preface

This evaluation report is substantially based on an evaluation and interviews carried out on an earlier draft of the National Policy Statement by independent consultants, the New Zealand Institute of Economic Research (NZIER) and Connell Wagner, who were commissioned by the Ministry for the Environment. Since that earlier evaluation, further development and changes have been made to arrive at the proposed National Policy Statement discussed in this report. The NZIER have reviewed the revised cost−benefit analysis.

A second section 32 evaluation will be undertaken once a Board of Inquiry has conducted its inquiry process (set out in sections 48 to 51 of the RMA) and provided its report and recommendations to the Minister on the proposed National Policy Statement. [The Proposed National Policy Statement on Electricity Transmission is the document to be notified by a Board of Inquiry for public submissions.]