Does your block need a Farm Environment Plan?

Probably not an official one, says Nathan Burkepile, the NZ Landcare Trust regional coordinator for Hawkes Bay.

The legislation covering Farm Environment Plans applies to pastoral or arable farms over 20ha and horticulture operations over 5ha (or any combination that adds up to 20ha), so most lifestyle blocks won't be affected by the Government's new regulations. Exceptions include commercial avocado and kiwifruit orchards on small blocks in the Bay of Plenty, which could meet the horticulture threshold.

The requirement for Farm Environment Plans is in Part 9A of the Resource Management Amendment Act 2020. Regional councils have a statutory role in enforcing them and are prioritising specific high-risk catchments and activities.

The councils are still working on the details, and won't finish for 12-18 months. Some may require a block owner to simply register their property rather than create a formal plan.

“But even if it's not required, it's good practice to have an environment plan,” says Nathan. “It's not just big farms causing the problems – there are issues with small ones too. If we're working across a catchment, we really need to know what's happening on the small blocks as well.”

What the final regulations will be is making some large farmers nervous. Most already have existing farm plans, required by some industry bodies and regional councils, but it's not yet known if these will also meet the new rules.