What is a hazard and do we need to protect it? Greater Christchurch case study on the tension between the National Policy Statement for Highly Productive Land 2022 and National Environmental Standard for Assessing and Managing Contaminants in Soil to Protect Human Health 2011 : A dissertation submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the Degree of Master in Planning at Lincoln University

Abstract

New Zealand has a long history of complex agricultural processes threatened by erosion, urbanization and contamination. The recent National Policy Statement for the Protection of Highly Productive Land (NPS-HPL) 2022 aims to safeguard the land for food or primary production. However, certain agriculture-related activities are identified as hazardous to the land and could result in contamination. The purpose of my research is to identify if there is any interaction between the new and existing national standards in addressing potential contamination. The NPS-HPL seems to contain matters it may not have intended and could affect the way farming and agricultural activities are approved or carried out on productive land. This research investigates the interpretations of soil protection and agrochemicals in the Greater Christchurch area. Quantitative methods inform qualitative methods to understand how these tensions are addressed in local government policies and plans, which are required to give effect to the national directives. The Greater Christchurch regulatory bodies have removed many provisions from their district plans for hazardous substances but note the interactions between agrochemicals and soil contamination. Accumulative non-point deposition of persistent organic pollutants from agricultural activities might affect future generations. The data suggests an interaction between the use of agrochemicals and soil contamination. However, it is undetermined how long this would take for soil productivity to be adversely affected. This research discusses the effect of sustainability, avoiding adverse effects, and contamination highlighted in the NPS-HPL. Possible interpretation may require councils and local governments to take further action in managing hazardous agricultural activities. Whether the NPS-HPL gives clarity in a time of fast-paced legislation or allows the independent local government authorities to make their own decisions for their region is yet to be seen. Identifying if agrichemicals are hazardous to highly productive land and if independent levels need to be set for their continued use can be expected to be a challenge for policymakers.