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.

Resource consents

Image - incident response staff at stormwater pond

Resource consents are permits that allow you to use or take water, land or coastal resources. They also allow the discharge of water or wastes into air, water or onto land. Resource consents include conditions to protect people and the environment. Waikato Regional Council monitors consented activities to make sure that the conditions are being met.

ring the consents team on 0800 800 401

In focus

Find out more about current resource consent applications of community interest.

National policies and regulations

Learn more about the national policies and regulations that apply to regional RMA functions, and must be observed and implemented by Waikato Regional Council.

Compliance and enforcement changes

Find out more about new compliance and enforcement laws that will apply under the Resource Management Act 1991 (RMA) from August 2023.

Information for applicants and consent holders

Before you can obtain a resource consent you need to go through an application process, just the same as with any other license or permit.

All regional and district councils must follow the same statutory process when considering and processing resource consent applications. This process requires you to provide specific information with your application before Waikato Regional Council can start work on it. Please talk with us before you make your application. This will help you avoid unnecessary delays and costs associated with a lack of required information or not applying for all the required consents.

You can learn more about the consent process and requirements, below.

Before you apply

Applying for consent

Rules and policies

The consent process

Holding a consent

Changing a consent

Tools and resources

Plantation foresty

The National Environmental Standards for Plantation Forestry (NES-PF) came into effect on 1 May 2018. There are rules to meet, and you may need to notify us before you carry out any activity.

Earthworks and erosion control

Find out more information about reducing the impact of your earthworks activities.

Moorings

All swing and pole moorings within the Waikato coastal marine area and inland waterways are classified as structures and require resource consent from Waikato Regional Council.

Whitebait stands

If you have a whitebait stand, or you're intending to build one, there are certain requirements.

Dairy shed water takes

If you need to take water for dairy shed purposes, then you might need a resource consent from us.

Low flow consent restrictions

Find out whether there are restrictions on water takes from the Waikato River.

Maps

Check out our range of maps and datasets that gives fast public access to a range of Waikato regional information.

Policies and plans

Take a look at our policies and plans to learn more about the rules and regulations that we monitor and enforce.

Urban stormwater management

Only clean rainwater should enter stormwater drains and the region’s waterways. Don’t be afraid to ask for advice if you’re not sure about what you should be doing to stop pollution getting into them.