National Policy Statement on Urban Development 2020 Plan Change 3
Plan Change 3 fully operative
With effect from 16 May 2025, Plan Change 3 (Urban Development) to the One Plan is fully operative. On 29 April, Horizons Regional Council resolved under Clause 17 of the First Schedule of the Resource Management Act 1991 to approve the remaining parts of Plan Change 3 that were subject to appeal, and have since been resolved through the Environment Court.
To view the public notice of Plan Change 3, please click here.
Part 1 Introduction and General Provisions as changed by Plan Change 3 - unchanged by PC3 2025
Part 2 RPS-UFD Urban Form and Development as changed by Plan Change 3 (clean version)
Part 2 RPS-UFD Urban Form and Development as changed by Plan Change 3 (marked up version)
Plan Change 3 Decision
On12 July 2024Council gave notice that it has made a decision on provisions and matters raised in submissions on the Proposed Plan Change 3 (Plan Change 3) to the Manawatū-Whanganui One Plan. Plan Change 3 introduces new provisions to give effect to the National Policy Statement on Urban Development 2020. Plan Change 3 sets out objectives and policies for the provision of sufficient development capacity to meet the expected demand for housing and business land, and for the planning of well-functioning urban environments. It also seeks to improve the responsiveness and competitiveness of land and development markets, improve resilience to climate change, and ensure planning decisions relating to urban environments take into account Te Tiriti o Waitangi. At a Council meeting on 25 June 2024, the Council adopted the recommendations made by the Hearings Panel set out in the Hearing Panel’s report dated 11 April 2024 as the Council’s decision on Plan Change 3. Plan Change 3 changes the Part I – Introduction and general provisions and Part II-RPS-UFD – urban form and development chapters of the One Plan.
The appeals period closed on 23 August 2024.
Public Notice
Part 1 Introduction and General Provisions as changed by Plan Change 3
Part 12 RPS-UFD Urban Form and Development as changed by Plan Change 3
What is the NPS-UD and why is Proposed Change 3 needed?
The NPS-UD sets out objectives and policies for the provision of sufficient development capacity to meet the expected demand for housing and business land, and for the planning of well-functioning urban environments. It is intended to improve the responsiveness and competitiveness of land and development markets, improve resilience to climate change, and ensure planning decisions relating to urban environments take into account Te Tiriti o Waitangi.
The NPS-UD requires the Horizons Regional Policy Statement (RPS) to be amended to give effect to its provisions.
What is an ‘urban environment’?
‘Urban environments’ are defined by the NPS-UD as urban areas that have or are intended to be part of a housing and labour market of at least 10,000 people.
In the Horizons Region, urban environments are Feilding, Levin, Palmerston North and Whanganui.
What is the scope of Proposed Change 3?
The scope of Proposed Change 3 has a narrow focus, with a view to giving effect to the NPS-UD with regard to intensification, responsiveness, climate change and Te Tiriti o Waitangi.
Submissions and Further Submissions
Key Dates for Hearing |
Date | Activity |
24 January 2024 | Rebuttal evidence |
31 January 2024 | Legal submissions and non-expert presentations |
7-9 February 2024 | Hearing |
Hearing Documents
Plan Change 3 Timeline
Date | Action |
|---|---|
July 2020 to August 2020 | Summary of submissions |
Prepare decisions requested by submitters | |
13 April 2021 | Council makes decision on recommendation |
Recommendation received from Hearing Panel provided to Regional Council for them to make a decision whether to adopt. | |
September 2022 | Council approval for public notification |
October 2022 | Public notification of PC3 |
October–November 2022 | Submissions period – 20 working days |
November-December 2022 | Prepare summary of submissions (decisions requested by submitters) |
Late January 2023 | Publicly notify summary of submissions to enable certain persons (as defined by RMA) to make further submissions – either in support or opposition |
February 2023 | Further submissions period – 10 working days |
Early–late 2023 | Staff prepare recommendations in response to submissions received. Meetings may occur with submitters to clarify relief sought |
Early-Mid 2024 | Hearings held, Hearings Panel deliberates and makes recommendations to Council |
Mid-late 2024 | Council to consider whether to adopt Hearings Panel recommendations as Council’s decisions. If Council adopts those recommendations they will then become Council’s decisions which must be publicly notified. |
More information
How will development capacity be monitored and assessed?
The NPS-UD also requires local authorities to ensure there is sufficient housing and business land development capacity to meet demand. For urban areas with populations that are greater than 10,000 people this includes a requirement to monitor development capacity.
As a larger city categorised as ‘Tier 2’ under the NPS-UD, reports also have to be prepared to assess future housing and business development capacity for Palmerston North. Reports are available to view on Palmerston North City Council's website.