HAIL (Hazardous Activities & Industries List)

National Legislation

If any National Environmental Standard or National Policy Statement mentioned below applies to your proposal, then an assessment against each of the relevant standards/statements will need to be addressed within your Resource Consent application.


National Environmental Standards

National Environmental Standard for Assessing and Managing Contaminants in Soil to Protect Human Health (NESCS)

The NESCS sets out planning controls and soil contaminant values as a way of identifying contaminated land. This is achieved through the Hazardous Activities and Industries List (HAIL). The Hazardous Activities and Industries List (HAIL) is a list of activities and industries established by the Ministry for the Environment that are likely to cause land contamination from hazardous substance use, storage or disposal. Further information about HAIL can be found on the Ministry for the Environment’s website: Hazardous Activities and Industries List (HAIL) | Ministry for the Environment

When you apply for a resource consent the Council will ask whether a HAIL activity has, or is, occurring on the property.

Although the Manawatu District Council holds some information regarding HAIL sites, Horizons Regional Council hold the database which records HAIL information across the Region. Please refer to the Horizons website to request HAIL information regarding your property: Contaminated Sites | Horizons Regional Council

Depending on the nature of your Resource Consent application, there may be other National Environmental Standards that are applicable. These include:


National Policy Statements

National Policy Statements provide direction regarding sustainable management for matters of national significance. Depending on the nature of the activity you are wanting to undertake, there may be National Policy Statements that need to be considered.

National Policy Statement for Highly Productive Land (NPS-HPL)

If your land is located within the General Rural Zone, the NPS-HPL may be applicable. The NPS-HPL took effect on 17 October 2022 and provides for the protection of LUC Class 1, 2, and 3 soils. The NPS-HPL assists in providing a layer of protection for productive land, which provides security for domestic food supply and primary exports.

The productive capacity of your property can be determined here: Land Use Capability | Landcare Research. The current version of the NPS-HPL is available at the following link: National Policy Statement for Highly Productive Land | Ministry for the Environment

National Policy Statement on Urban Development (NPS-UD)

The NPS-UD 2020 sets out the objectives and policies for planning for well-functioning urban environments under the Resource Management Act 1991.

This NPS aims to ensure that New Zealand’s towns and cities are well-functioning urban environments that meet the changing needs of our diverse communities. It removes overly restrictive barriers to development to allow growth ‘up’ and ‘out’ in locations that have good access to existing services, public transport networks and infrastructure.

If your property is located within an urban environment, the NPS-UD may be applicable to your application:

National Policy Statement on Urban Development | Ministry for the Environment

New Zealand Coastal Policy Statement

If your property is located within a coastal environment, then the New Zealand Coastal Policy Statement may be applicable to your application:

New Zealand Coastal Policy Statement | Ministry for the Environment

Other National Policy Statements that may be applicable to your application include:

We recommend talking to a planning consultant if you are unsure what National Environmental Standards or National Policy Statements apply to your proposed activity, and how to address these in your Resource Consent application.