Technical Note SB95 - National Environmental Standards for Plantation Forestry

The Resource Management Act 1991 (RMA) is the main piece of legislation that sets out how the land is to be managed. The National Environmental Standards for Plantation Forestry (NES-PF) are the regulations made under this legislation that apply to any forest of at least one hectare that has been planted specifically for commercial purposes and is to be harvested. The NES-PF supersedes almost all district council plan provisions, and many of those of regional council plans, except in specific situations where the NES-PF allows councils to apply more stringent rules.

The intent of the regulations is to better protect the land and environment and to apply consistent environmental standards across the country while improving the productivity of the forestry sector and reducing operational costs. Councils previously managed the environmental effects of forestry activities through regional and district plans.

MPI has developed guidance to support implementation of the NES-PF. The guidance is targeted at regional councils, territorial authorities, and the forestry industry as the primary users of the NES-PF.  The Guide is a useful tool to help interpret the rules.