Our 2011 election manifesto - Labour Party

desirable. That can be achieved through national environmental standards, or by issuing
national policy statements (NPSs) under the RMA.
Some NPSs have already been issued, including on coastal matters, electricity transmission,
renewable electricity generation, and freshwater management. An NPS is also proposed on
indigenous biodiversity.
National‟s NPS on freshwater management gutted the draft NPS commissioned by Labour,
by only requiring regional councils to adopt water quality standards by 2030, without the
requirement for overall national environmental standards.
Labour will urgently strengthen the NPS on Freshwater Management 2011 in line
with the draft proposed by a board of inquiry.
An example where strengthening may be required is the NPS on renewable electricity, which
fails to promote many supply-side efficiencies, such as smart metering. Also, the proposed
NPS on indigenous biodiversity merely restates existing conditions, rather than seeking to
extend the precautionary approach.
Labour will strengthen other existing or proposed NPSs where they are clearly
inadequate.
Labour will be robust in issuing NPSs on a range of matters where they would be desirable.
These could include biofuels (taking as a starting point the Parliamentary Commissioner for
the Environment‟s recent report) and sustainability education.
Labour will issue NPS on a range of matters where central government guidance to
regional and local government is desirable.
Urban design
Urban design is critical to the quality of our lives, our economic productivity, and our
determination to achieve sustainability. Urban development and rural intensification in highlyvalued
natural areas must be avoided. The rebuild of Christchurch provides an opportunity
for world-class sustainable urban design.
Labour will pay great attention to urban design, with particular focus also on Auckland. We
want to see the Auckland Plan strengthened by making it more specific on issues like
coastal protection, nationally and regionally significant recreational areas, open-space areas,
ecological areas, landscapes, and areas of historical significance.
Labour will pay great attention to urban design, with a particular focus on the rebuild
of Christchurch and strengthening the Auckland Plan.
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