Draft Plan Change 2 to the Waikato Regional Policy Statement - National Policy Statement for Highly Productive Land 2022

About the plan change

• What is the National Policy Statement for Highly Productive Land 2022?

  The National Policy Statement for Highly Productive Land 2022 (NPS-HPL) is a national policy developed under the Resource Management Act 1991 (RMA) that came into effect in October 2022.

  The aim of the NPS-HPL is to identify and protect highly productive land for land-based primary production, both now and for future generations.

  The RMA requires that all regional councils must give effect to NPS-HPL by mapping highly productive land areas and including relevant provisions in their regional policy statements.
• Why do we need a plan change to the RPS?

  A plan change to the RPS is needed for several reasons:

  1. There is a difference in terminology – currently, the RPS manages ‘high class soils’ (HCS) rather than HPL.
  2. The RPS does not currently have an HPL map.
  3. Some of the existing policy direction is inconsistent with the NPS-HPL.

  The above changes are required to ensure that the RPS gives effect to the NPS-HPL. Urban development and subdivision is increasingly occurring on our most productive land, so it’s important we are able to balance the demand for urban growth with the protection of highly productive land. The NPS-HPL provides direction for regional councils to identify and locate highly productive land and manage the use and development of this non-renewable resource (for example, rezoning and subdivision for lifestyle blocks).
• What areas are affected by the plan change?

  The Government has signalled a potential refocus of the NPS-HPL, as outlined in their plan for Going for Housing Growth. If confirmed, this would mean that the area of land categorised as ’highly productive’ in the Waikato region could be reduced. The council is currently seeking further direction from central government on these potential changes. Any updates will be provided to the community via our website.

  The NPS-HPL applies to highly productive land across the country. This plan change will apply to land in rural zones prescribed in the NPS-HPL in the Waikato region. Land is considered highly productive under the NPS-HPL if it is zoned general rural or rural production, is mapped as predominantly Land Use Capability (LUC) class 1, 2 or 3 land, and forms a large and geographically cohesive area.

  LUC class is assessed primarily according to interpretation of the components of the Land Resource Inventory (i.e., rock type, soil type, landform/slope, erosion type/severity, and vegetation cover).

  Land that has already been identified for future urban development in the next 10 years will not be affected. More information on the LUC system can also be found in the Land use capability survey handbook: a New Zealand handbook for the classification of land and on the Manaaki Whenua Landcare Research Baseline HPL map.
• How will updates to the RPS be carried out?

  We will work with local councils and tangata whenua to identify and map highly productive land in our region as well as test our policy approach with communities and stakeholders to ensure what we’ve come up with balances the demand for urban growth while protecting our most productive land, now and in the future.
• What is the anticipated timeline for the plan change?

  Late 2022 to mid 2023

  • NPS-HPL came into effect (October 17, 2022)
  • Review and compare requirements of NPS-HPL with existing provisions
  • Initial desktop identification of highly productive land in the Waikato
  • Targeted engagement initiated early 2023

  Late 2024 to mid 2025

  • Pre-notification engagement
  • Draft regional map of highly productive land and high-level policy approach developed, tested and refined through further engagement
  • Consultation with iwi authorities on draft policy documents under RMA Schedule 1 (4A)

  Late 2025 and beyond

  • Notification of plan change
  • Formal consultation, submissions and hearing as per RMA Schedule 1 process
• What is a regional policy statement?

  The Waikato Regional Policy Statement (Te Tauākī Kaupapahere o te rohe o Waikato), or RPS, is a mandatory document required under the Resource Management Act 1991 that provides an overview of the resource management issues in the region.

  Although it doesn’t contain any rules, the RPS does provide objectives, policies, and methods to achieve integrated outcomes for the region across resources, jurisdictional boundaries and agency functions. Regional and district plans are required to give effect to the RPS.
• What does this mean for development plans and how will it affect current land use activities?

  Any land use change, subdivision or rezoning related enquiries are best directed to local territorial authorities, who are responsible for administering these functions.

  You can find the contact details for your territorial authority here: Waikato Local Government.
• How does this plan change relate to the 'Essential freshwater' package?

  Although the impacts on freshwater and freshwater availability are key considerations under the NPS-HPL, there is no direct processual connection between this plan change and the council’s response to the Essential Freshwater package.

  You can find more information on the Essential freshwater package and how it is being implemented in the Waikato region here.
• What are the key provisions in the RPS related to High Class Soils?

  Objectives	LF-O4 - Values of soil LF-O5 – High class soils
  Policies	LF-P8 – Maintain or enhance the life supporting capacity of the soil resource LF-P9 – Soil Contaminants LF-P10 – Peat soils LF-P11 – High class soils
  Methods	LF-M32 – Manage the effects of activities to maintain soil quality and reduce risk of erosion LF-M33 – Soil conservation LF-M34 – Research and advocacy on the life supporting capacity of the soil resource LF-M35 – Pest management LF-M36 – Control discharges to land LF-M37 – Research, advocacy and education on soil contaminants LF-M38 – Manage peat subsidence LF-M39 – Research on peat soils LF-M40 – Advocacy and education on peat soils LF-M41 – Manage the form and location of development LF-M42 – Provision of information