Tēnā koe

E mihi ana i runga i ngā āhuatanga o te wā.

On Monday you received an email announcing that the Government has launched public consultation on how central government can support local government decision making on new development in areas that are at high risk from floods, landslides, coastal inundation, or other natural hazards. Monday’s email was sent with an incorrect link to the consultation page. We apologise for this error. The link has now been updated below.

The Ministry for the Environment is seeking feedback on a proposed National Policy Statement (NPS) for Natural Hazard Decision Making to strengthen local decision-making on natural hazards. The proposed NPS would guide all local authorities on how to consider natural hazard risks when making decisions on regional policy statements, regional plans, district plans and resource consents. This work is being progressed under the existing Resource Management Act.

The draft NPS reflects feedback from Māori during pre-engagement on this kaupapa. It also seeks to acknowledge and deliver on the principles of active protection and tino rangatiratanga by requiring decision makers to engage with iwi / Māori early for plan-making processes.

Consultation on these proposals is now open and we encourage those with an interest to make a submission. Click the button below to review the consultation materials and have your say.

• 12-1pm, Wednesday, 4 October: click here to register for the hui
• 4-5pm, Thursday, 5 October: click here to register for the hui
• 12-1pm, Wednesday, 11 October: click here to register for the hui
• 4-5pm, Thursday, 12 October: click here to register for the hui

A series of drop-in online hui for Māori partners to create space for kōrero with our leadership team on Natural Hazards, National Planning Framework and Climate Adaptation kaupapa is also being offered. These hui are scheduled for:

• 12-1:30pm, Tuesday, 24 October:  click here to register for the hui 
• 4-5:30pm, Wednesday, 25 October:  click here to register for the hui 
• 4-5:30pm, Thursday, 26 October:  click here to register for the hui 

As part of these hui officials will explain how this kaupapa connects to the Parliamentary Inquiry into climate adaptation. Find more information here.

Feedback from consultation will inform final decisions on the NPS, which is expected to be in place in early 2024. This would provide councils with short term direction while a more comprehensive National Direction for Natural Hazards is developed.

Ngā mihi nui

Natural Hazards Policy Team