Effective farm planning leads to better informed decision-making, which can improve both the profitability and long-term viability of your farm. Farm plans encourage you to recognise potential risks to freshwater and determine actions to manage and mitigate those risks.
In the Waikato and Waipā catchments, some farmers and growers may be required to have farm plans under regional rules (Proposed Waikato Regional Plan Change 1 (PC1)), while national legislation is also establishing a requirement for freshwater farm plans across New Zealand.
PC1 remains subject to ongoing legal processes and the Government’s planned changes to the Resource Management Act, creating uncertainty around future requirements for Waikato farmers and growers. At the same time, the Government is reviewing the national freshwater farm planning system established under the Resource Management (Freshwater Farm Plans) Regulations 2023. While the future shape of both frameworks remains uncertain, farmers and growers should continue to identify, manage and mitigate on-farm risks to fresh water.
To help with this, Waikato Regional Council is currently supporting farmers in the Waikato and Waipā catchments with farm planning by providing catchment information, including:
- unique characteristics, challenges and values of the local catchment, helping landowners understand how their farm’s natural features and farming activities may influence freshwater quality and ecosystem health
- landform and soil characteristics
- rivers, streams, lakes, wetlands and harbours within the catchment
- taonga (treasured) species present within the catchment
- environmental issues and management priorities, including erosion, flooding, water quality, biodiversity, and habitat restoration.
The development of catchment information is ongoing, and we anticipate further resources will be made available in future for the remainder of the Waikato region.
What’s happening with freshwater farm plans
The coalition Government's Resource Management (Freshwater and Other Matters) Amendment Act enacted a range of changes to the Resource Management Act (RMA) and associated secondary legislation, with freshwater farm plans officially on pause while the Government works through changes to make the system more cost-effective and practical for farmers.
What’s happening with PC1
The Government has announced planned changes to the Resource Management Act that will have implications for Proposed Waikato Regional Plan Change 1 (PC1). We are reviewing the information available and will assess the implication of the legislative changes once the detail is known, including what they may mean for planning and implementation processes, stakeholders and communities across the Waikato and Waipā river catchments.
Catchment information
Catchment information sheets for Waikato and Waipā catchments are being developed by Waikato Regional Council. These documents provide information on the unique characteristics, challenges and values at a local scale, helping landowners understand how their farm’s natural features and farming activities may influence freshwater quality and ecosystem health. Each catchment information sheet includes suggested priority actions based on the key water quality issues in the catchment and the farming activities most likely to contribute to them.
Online module
We encourage you to make use of our online module, which builds understanding of key environmental planning concepts and how they apply to farm environment plans. This resource was published in 2023 and specifically refers to Proposed Waikato Regional Plan Change 1 (PC1), explaining why we need it and what it means for Waikato farmers.
Any questions
If you have any questions about farm planning, please send them to our Primary Industry Engagement team at pie@waikatoregion.govt.nz and we’ll get back to you as soon as we can.