Recent developments in soil law and policy in New Zealand

New Zealand has a reputation for successful and efficient agricultural production, although it has a limited supply of high-quality versatile soils. These valuable resources are under threat, both from natural forces including extreme weather events, and from the pressures of expanding urban growth into adjacent areas of high-quality soils. In this article recent developments in the legal and policy framework for soils in New Zealand are considered, and in particular the effect of the National Policy Statement for Highly Productive Land 2022 (‘NPS-HPL’). Recent caselaw involving residential and urban expansion into rural areas, often to the detriment of the continued availability of high-quality soils, will also be examined. The significant effects of recent extreme weather events in New Zealand on soil issues and productive land will be discussed, and some observations made on the lessons that can be learnt as we face increasing impacts from climate change. Finally, some comments will be offered on future developments, including proposed major resource management legislative reforms, in the context of soil law and policy in New Zealand.