The National Policy Statement for Highly Productive Land released yesterday purports to protect the “most-productive” land from urban development.
Agriculture Minister Damien O’Connor says:
Today’s changes enhance protection for our highly productive land giving farmers, growers and other food producers certainty into the future, and provide greater economic security for all New Zealanders.
[…] we are moving to protect our most fertile and versatile land, especially in our main food production areas like Auckland, Waikato, Hawke’s Bay, Horowhenua and Canterbury.
Associate Agriculture Minister Meka Whaitiri says they liaised with local bodies, industry and Maori organisations in developing the policy.
Councils will have to identify and manage productive land to protect it, but the land can still be available for housing if needed or particular criteria are met – there are a number of exceptions.
Read more here. Discuss it on The BFD.
