New standards, known as National Environmental Standards for Papakāinga (NES-P), will come into force in early July. They provide consistent district planning rules across the country and reduce the complexity, time and cost involved in resource consenting for homes and certain other non-residential buildings on ancestral Māori land.

Subject to meeting permitted activity standards, the NES-P allows up to 10 homes to be built on Māori land, and certain types of general land owned by Māori in zones for rural, residential and Māori purposes, without district council resource consent. 

For developments that do not meet the permitted activity standards, have more than 10 homes, or are located on PSGE-owned land (in their area of interest) or not in rural residential or Māori purpose zones the NES-P provides a clear and consistent resource consent process. 

Te Puni Kōkiri developed the new standards in a Ministry for the Environment-led process as part of the Government’s resource management system reforms. The changes also contribute to the Government’s goal to free up land for housing including removing unnecessary planning barriers. We wish to thank all those who took part in the consultation process for this reform. 

• National Environmental Standards for Papakāinga 2026 Report on Recommendations and Decisions | Ministry for the Environment
• Updating National Direction New National Environmental Standards for Papakainga