Draft:National Environmental Standard (New Zealand)

National environmental standards are prepared by the New Zealand Government as outlined in the Resource Management Act 1991 (RMA), an Act of Parliament to promote the sustainable management of New Zealand's natural and physical resources.

National environmental standards are covered by sections 43 to 44A of the RMA.

As of July 2024, nine national environmental standards are in force:


 * National Environmental Standards for Air Quality 2004;
 * National Environmental Standard for Sources of Drinking Water 2007;
 * National Environmental Standards for Electricity Transmission Activities 2009;
 * National Environmental Standard for Assessing and Managing Contaminants in Soil to Protect Human Health 2011;
 * National Environmental Standards for Telecommunications Facilities 2016;
 * National Environmental Standards for Freshwater 2020;
 * National Environmental Standard for Marine Aquaculture 2020;
 * National Environmental Standard for Storing Tyres Outdoors 2021; and
 * National Environmental Standards for Comercial Forestry 2023.