The Essential Freshwater package is a new set of National Environmental Standards and Regulations designed to achieve genuine freshwater improvements for Aotearoa New Zealand’s lakes, rivers, wetlands, and other freshwater within a generation.
The new rules apply to all farmers, and are in addition to the existing regional rules in the Tasman Resource Management Plan. These new rules are being introduced in phases so you’ll be able to prepare and adapt to them over a period of time. Take a look at this timeline (pdf 13 MB) that shows the dates different regulations come into effect.
The following topics are covered by the new national rules:
Freshwater Farm PlansAll farms with 20 hectares or more in arable or pastoral use, 5 hectares or more in horticultural use, and/or 20 hectares or more of combined use will require a certified Freshwater Farm Plan.
Find out about the new requirement for a Freshwater Farm Plan for your farm.
Synthetic Nitrogen Fertiliser capOn grazed land, you can no longer apply more than 190 kg of synthetic nitrogen fertiliser per hectare per year (190kgN/ha/yr) without resource consent. You must also record your fertiliser use, and if you are a dairy farmer, report your use back to Council each year.
Find out how the new rules might affect synthetic nitrogen caps on your farm.
Intensive Winter GrazingIntensive Winter Grazing is permitted provided the farm previously had winter grazing (between 2014-2019) and the area has not increased. If the land area used for intensive winter grazing has increased and you don't meet the requirements of the new Essential Freshwater Regulations you will require resource consent.
Find out how the new rules might affect intensive winter grazing on your farm.
Keeping Stock out of WaterwaysFrom 2023 or 2025 certain stock classes must be excluded from any natural wetland, lake, or any waterway that is more than 1m wide. New fencing will need to be set back by at least 3m. New farm systems will require immediate exclusion for the same stock classes.
Find out how the new rules might affect stock exclusion on your farm.
Wetland managementAny activity that disturbs wetlands (e.g. earthworks) can only be carried out for certain reasons, such as restoration, clearing debris, or scientific research, and may require resource consent.
Find out how the new rules might affect wetland management on your farm.
Agricultural intensificationResource consent is now required for various land use conversions (eg forestry to pasture) over 10 hectares.
Find out more about the new agricultural intensification rules.
Feedlots and stockholding areasUsing land for feedlots and stockholding areas is allowed and doesn’t require resource consent if at least 90% of the cattle are under 4 months old or weigh less than 120kg. Otherwise, you will require resource consent.
Find out how the new rules might affect your feedlots and stockholding areas.
Water meteringAll consented water takes require a water meter. Readings must be reported to Council each week.
Find out more about water metering and how this applies to you.
Fish passageCulverts, weirs, flap gates, fords, and dams installed after 3 September 2020 must meet minimum reporting and environmental requirements such as height, width, and location, and may require resource consent.
Find out how the new rules affect fish passage on your property.
