Restrictions on registering LUC class 1 to 6 land in the ETS
There are restrictions on how much exotic forest on LUC class 1 to 6 land you can register in the ETS. Because of this, you need to identify the LUC class of your land, so you know if there are restrictions on registering it.
Find out more about the Land Use Capability (LUC) class restrictions on post-1989 forest land
About the LUC classification system
The LUC classification system classifies land based on how well it can support various productive uses over time. Land is classified based on features such as climate, soil, slope, vegetation, and erodibility.
There are 8 LUC classes. Classes 1 to 4 are generally suitable for all ranges of cultivation. Classes 5 to 7 tend to be suitable for pastoral farming and forestry. Class 8 has severe limitations for use in primary production, including forestry.
An introduction to LUC – Land Resources Portal
How to identify the LUC class of your land
There are 2 ways to find out the LUC classification of your land:
- use the national scale map
- do a property scale assessment.
Each ETS application must use only one of these methods. You cannot use the national scale map and a property scale assessment in the same application. However, you do not have to use the same type of map every time you apply to register land in the ETS. You can use a different type of map each time you apply.
Using the national scale map
The national scale map identifies the LUC class of land for most of New Zealand. The map is published online.
Completing a property scale assessment
If you think the LUC class of your land on the national scale map is not accurate, you can do a property scale assessment.
A property scale assessment can include maps at a higher scale than the national scale map. This means property scale maps can show more detail for small areas such as farms and catchments.
If you use a property scale assessment for your ETS application, you must:
- use the approved method to do the assessment (see 'How to do a property scale assessment')
- provide a statement confirming you, or the person who did the assessment, followed this method
- provide a shapefile (digital map) that shows the LUC class of your land
- keep records of the property scale assessment for 20 years.
How to do a property scale assessment
Property scale assessments must follow the methods outlined in the most recent versions of both the:
- Land use capability survey handbook – Land Resources Portal
- New Zealand soil mapping protocols and guidelines – Envirolink [PDF, 1.5 MB]
Provide a statement that you followed the methods
If you’re using a property scale assessment for your ETS application, you must provide a statement from the person who did the assessment that confirms they followed both methods. The person who did the assessment could be you or someone else.
You must complete the form and send it with your application to register forest land in the ETS.
Provide a shapefile that shows the LUC class of your land
When you are applying to register land in the ETS, you will be asked whether you are using a property scale map or the national scale map.
If you’re using a property scale assessment, upload the property scale map of your land with your application. This map will need to be submitted as a shapefile and prepared according to the Geospatial Mapping Information Standard 2025.
Each polygon (area) in the shapefile needs a specific attribute assigned to identify the LUC class.
Read more about the shapefile for property scale maps
Find out more about mapping land in the ETS
How to map forestry for the ETS
Keep your land use records for 20 years
If you use a property scale assessment in your ETS application, you must keep records of the assessment for 20 years.
