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National environmental standards

Every New Zealander expects and deserves a clean, healthy environment – not just for ourselves, but to pass on to future generations. The government wants to set standards so that everyone in our country has clear air to breathe, clean water to drink and clean land to live on.

We call these standards “national environmental standards”. They are regulations issued under sections 43 and 44 of the Resource Management Act and apply nationally. This means that each regional, city or district council must enforce the same standard. In some circumstances, councils can impose stricter standards.

National Environmental Standards not only protect people, they also secure a consistent approach and decision making process throughout the whole country. They create a level playing field.

National environmental standards in effect

The following standards are in force as regulations:

National environmental standards in development

The standards listed below are at various stages of development, ranging from initiating consultation to being legally drafted.

National environmental standards being scoped

The Ministry is currently scoping the potential for the development of standards to address:

If you would like more information about standards please contact standards@mfe.govt.nz.

How do national environmental standards work?

National environmental standards are regulations issued under the Resource Management Act 1991 (RMA). They prescribe technical standards, methods and other requirements for environmental matters.

Local and regional councils [or local government] must enforce these standards (or they can enforce stricter standards when the standard provides for this). In this way, national environmental standards ensure consistent minimum standards are maintained throughout all New Zealand’s regions and districts.

Last updated: 19 November 2009