ESSENTIAL FRESH WATER: THE FACTS

When livestock enter water bodies they can contaminate the water and damage the banks and aquatic habitats. This compromises New Zealanders’ ability to use waterbodies for recreation and mahinga kai (food gathering).

Stock exclusion regulations prohibit the access of cattle, pigs and deer to wetlands, lakes and rivers. These regulations were developed as part of the Essential Freshwater reforms.

These regulations, in force from 3 September 2020, apply to a person who owns or controls beef cattle, dairy cattle, dairy support cattle, deer or pigs (stock). The regulations require the person to exclude stock from specified wetlands, lakes and rivers more than one metre wide.

Essential Freshwater is part of a new national direction to protect and improve our rivers, streams, lakes and wetlands.

The Essential Freshwater package aims to: stop further degradation of our freshwater; start making immediate improvements so water quality improves within five years; reverse past damage to bring our waterways and ecosystems to a healthy state within a generation.

The National Policy Statement for Freshwater Management 2020 is part of the Essential Freshwater package. It provides national direction which regional councils translate into action on the ground through their regional policy statement and regional plans.

As key land-users in catchments, farmers and growers must manage land in relation to waterways in a way that complies with how Te Mana o te Wai is given effect to locally. In order to give effect to Te Mana o te Wai, regional councils will develop rules for land-use and freshwater use that farmers and growers need to follow.

Farmers and growers are part of this process through regional council plan development. Communities Regional councils are responsible for engaging with communities to determine how Te Mana o te Wai applies to waterbodies and freshwater ecosystems in the region. To meet this obligation councils and communities – including tangata whenua - are discussing the values and aspirations they hold for the freshwater bodies and ecosystems in their region. Communities will also have a key role in setting a long-term vision for their region.

■ The Bay of Plenty Regional Council (BOPR) is currently updating its fresh water policies. For more information check www.boprc.govt.nz/environment/freshwater

■ The Waikato Regional Council is also in the process of implementing fresh water regulations. The Environment Court is currently sitting regarding submissions on the Waikato and Waipa River catchments. The rest of the region falls under a new regional plan. Regulations for these areas are been worked on presently. For more information check www.waikatoregion.govt.nz/council/policy-and-plans/essentialfreshwater/