National policy statements are planning documents that provide national direction for matters of national significance relevant to sustainable management. They are prepared by the government of New Zealand as outlined in the Resource Management Act (RMA), an important Act of Parliament to ensure sustainable use of resources). National policy statements are covered by Sections 45-55 of the RMA). They are statutory documents published in accordance with the Planning Act 2008 (PA 2008) in the UK.

National policy statements provide the framework within which the Secretary of State makes decisions on nationally significant infrastructure projects (NSIPs) applications for development consent. They establish the need case for a specific type of development and provide the framework within which the Secretary of State makes decisions on NSIP applications for development consent. National policy statements undergo a democratic process of public consultation and parliamentary scrutiny before being designated (i.e., published).

The content of national policy statements generally is set out in section 45A of the Resource Management Act. They must state objectives and policies for the matter of national significance being addressed by the policy statement. National policy statements can direct councils to amend policy statements and plans to include specific objectives and policies, give effect to an objective or policy contained in the national policy statement, or make the policy statement or plan consistent with a constraint or limit in the national policy statement.

In summary, national policy statements are planning documents that provide national direction for matters of national significance relevant to sustainable management. They are prepared by the government and covered by specific sections of the Resource Management Act. They provide the framework within which decisions are made on nationally significant infrastructure projects applications for development consent.