Response to Illustrative National Direction for the new planning system

In October 2026, the Climate Change Commission wrote to the Chief Executive of the Ministry for Cities, Environment, Regions and Transport to provide feedback on how climate change is considered in spatial planning and risk assessment.

The Ministry for Cities, Environment, Regions and Transport released, for feedback, the illustrative National Policy Direction which provides an early example of the direction councils may receive in preparing regional spatial plans and assessing natural hazard risks.

The letter highlights the importance of considering ongoing and future climate change when assessing risk, not just current climate conditions, and recognising that progressive climate changes, in addition to acute natural hazards, pose risks for planning and development. This is particularly important for spatial planning decisions, which can shape where development occurs and influence communities' exposure and vulnerability to climate risks for decades.