NPS - Natural Hazards 2025

The Government has brought into effect national direction on managing natural hazard risk as part of its phased approach to the reform of the resource management system.

Go to the published NPS-NH legislation on the Ministry for the Environment website

Why the NPS-NH is needed

Development in areas at risk from natural hazards without appropriate measures to manage risk can pose a risk to lives, businesses and homes. This can leave communities, insurers, councils and government facing costs for repairs and recovery.

The Government is reforming the resource management system in phases. In phase three, the Resource Management Act 1991 will be replaced with two new acts. This new system will provide more certainty around where development can and should be enabled. More details on how the document was prepared and consultation are provided on the Ministry for the Environment website.

What does the NPS-NH cover

The NPS-NH 2025 sets out a balanced way for councils to manage natural hazard risks in new developments, based on the level of risk involved. Making new development safer helps to reduce future costs and make communities more resilient.

All current National Policy Statements are available on the Ministry for the Environment website.

Go to the current National Policy Statements on Ministry for the Environment website