Irrigators: plan ahead for resource consent expiration

Water is the most common substance on the earth’s surface and one of the most critical when in short supply. As climatic conditions vary, so does the increased need for irrigation water to maintain productive crop growth through the growing seasons.

Groundwater resource consents are granted by the Bay of Plenty Regional Council and allow for the take of groundwater for beneficial uses including horticulture and farming, among others.

Almost half of the Bay of Plenty region’s resource consents to take water were granted under the Water and Soil Conservation Act, and became 35-year consents under the Resource Management Act 1991. In 2026 there are a total of 1,259 consents due to expire, with 751 (59%) being water take consents. The majority of the water take consents that will expire are for agricultural use.

At a minimum, renewal of these water take consents will require some consultation with Regional Council, application submission and payment of fees. In many cases, groundwater take resource consent renewals will require pumping, testing of the bore and assessment of environmental effects on other users and the environment.

Bay of Plenty Regional Council expects that applications for renewal of expiring water take resource consents will be lodged starting 6 to 12 months prior to the 2026 expiration date. This push for applications will likely be preceded by a flurry of activity in the pumping testing and water bore replacement industry.

High demand for a limited number of quality contractors may result in higher prices for work and extended completion times. Water users are encouraged to make plans early if they need to complete water bore installation, pumping testing, assessment of effects and application for renewal of their groundwater take resource consent.

Another critical aspect of these events is that the Regional Council will have the opportunity to reduce overall groundwater take in overallocated catchments in an effort to better manage catchment hydrology.

Some groundwater catchments are significantly overallocated, meaning that groundwater is recharged at a rate less than is allocated to be taken out. Overallocated catchments may experience declining groundwater levels over time as well as related hazards such as land subsidence and saltwater intrusion.

The individual user, renewing their consent in affected catchments, may be required to reduce their allocation.