Council Owned and Managed Dam Safety Policy Statement

The Building (Dam Safety) Regulations 2022 came into effect on 13 May 2024. Their purpose was to increase the resilience and safety of New Zealand’s dams, protecting people, property, and the environment from the potential impacts of dam failures.

The Regulations set out that owners of dams are responsible for ensuring that their dams are being managed appropriately, proportionate to the potential impacts they pose. 

This policy statement lists out the dams owned or managed by Waikato Regional Council, and what processes are in place to ensure the council is meeting their obligations as a dam owner.

This document replaces the 2017 Dam Safety Policy Statement (Waikato Regional Council, 2017b).

Report: PS 2025/17

Author: Waikato Regional Council