The doors to our Whitianga and Paeroa offices will be closed for the summer break from 4pm on Friday, 20 December, while our Taupō and Hamilton offices will close for the summer break at 1pm on Tuesday, 24 December. All offices will reopen on Monday, 6 January 2025. To report air or water pollution, unsafe water activities in or on a river, lake or harbour, or make a general enquiry or information request during this time, call us 24/7 on 0800 800 401.

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  3. Freshwater Farm Plans
What’s happening with freshwater farm plans?

The coalition Government's Resource Management (Freshwater and Other Matters) Amendment Act brought into effect a range of changes to the Resource Management Act (RMA) and associated secondary legislation.

The Order outlining the application of Part 9A, which includes the dates freshwater farm plans (FWFPs) apply for the Waikato and other regions, has been revoked. This has officially paused the implementation of freshwater farm plans. While the pause is in effect, the Government will be working through changes to the freshwater farm plan system. Our current understanding is that these changes could be confirmed by mid-2025.

The aim of the improvements the Government is considering is to make the system more cost-effective and practical for farmers.

Parts of this page have been retired until details of the planned improvements become clear.

In the meantime, farmers should continue to follow good farming practices and be mindful of the ongoing importance of mitigating risks on farm that may impact fresh water.

Important

Have further questions?

If you have any further questions about our regional freshwater farm plan rollout, please send them to our Primary Sector Support and Engagement team at pie@waikatoregion.govt.nz and we’ll get back to you as soon as we can.

To register your interest in our training resources for certifiers, auditors or developers of Freshwater Farm Plans head to our training platform.

Waikato Regional Council freshwater farm plan online training

Knowing your catchment context, challenges and values (CCCV)

We are compiling CCCV information for each freshwater management unit (FMU) in the Waikato region. This information will help you to consider the unique environmental features, current environmental health status, cultural values/practices and important recreational sites of your catchment when developing your freshwater farm plan. 

Waipā FMU CCCV West Coast South FMU CCCV

Middle and Upper Waikato areas

We have temporarily paused development of the catchment context, challenges and values (CCCV) for the other Waikato freshwater management units.

If you have any questions about catchment context, please email pie@waikatoregion.govt.nz