Te wai, he taonga | Wai, it matters.

The draft Freshwater Plan Change is a blueprint for improving the health of freshwater – rivers, streams, lakes, wetlands and aquifers – in Te Taitokerau Northland.

Big changes are needed to significantly improve freshwater and meet Government policy requirements. There will be many different views – from those that think we’re not going far enough to those that don’t think much change is needed.

Here’s a quick overview of some of the key draft changes we’re considering:

Feedback has closed, but you can still read more about the changes we are considering

• Overview of key draft rule changes
• Consultation document: The Draft Freshwater Plan Change: Have Your Say (PDF 11.4MB)
• Consultation document: Stock exclusion (PDF 1.4MB)
• Consultation document: Targeted Water Allocation Policy (PDF 1.4MB)
• Read the full Draft Freshwater Plan Change (PDF 12.3MB)
• Read the draft Action Plan (PDF 1.6MB)
• Want more detail? See the technical documents and reports

Our pātai (questions)

The decisions we make now will determine the state of freshwater for future generations and the resilience of our communities to the impacts of climate change. The feedback we received will better inform our decisions.

The two big pātai (questions) we had were:

• What do you think of our draft Freshwater Plan Change and draft Action Plan? There’s a lot to consider and we welcome feedback on any of it.
• What timeframes are feasible to improve freshwater?  The longer the timeframe, the more time for people to make the changes needed – but the longer it will take for the health of freshwater to improve.

Drop-in sessions and online hui

We held a series of drop-in sessions and online hui to kōrero about the draft Freshwater Plan and answer your questions.

Online hui

• 22 November 2023
  • View the recording of the hui
  • Read the answers to participant questions

• 29 November 2023
  • View the recording of the hui
  • Read the answers to participant questions

• 30 November 2023
  • View the recording of the hui
  • Read the answers to participant questions

• 7 March2024
  • View the recording of the hui
  • Read the answers to participant questions

Drop-in sessions

Mangakahia Sports Complex
cnr Kerehunga and Mangakahia Roads, Whangārei
Drop-in anytime between 10am to 12:30pm
7 December 2023

Kaikohe Senior Citizens Hall
55 Tawanui Road, Kaikohe
Drop-in anytime between 10am to 12:30pm
14 December 2023

Northern Wairoa RSA
26 Hokianga Road, Dargaville
Drop-in anytime between 10am to 12:30pm
25 January 2024

Sports Bar, Maungaturoto Country Club
84 Bickerstaffe Road, Maungaturoto
Drop-in anytime between 10am to 12:30pm
31 January 2024

Kawakawa RSA
29 Albert Street, Kawakawa
Drop-in anytime between 10am to 12:30pm
8 February 2024

Kāeo Rugby Club
Waikoura Domain, 40 Whangaroa Road, Kāeo
Drop-in anytime between 10am to 12:30pm
15 February 2024

Webb Room, Far North RSA & Bowling Club
18 Matthews Avenue, Kaitaia
Drop in anytime between 10am and 12:30pm
22 February 2024

Talk to us at summer community events

Our team were out and about at community events throughout the summer:

Bay of Islands Pastoral & Industrial Show

205 Showgrounds Road, Waimate North
11 November 2023

Whangārei A&P Summer Show

Barge Showgrounds, Whangārei
2 December 2023

Kaikohe A&P Show

Kaikohe A&P Showgrounds, Corner State Highway 12 & Ngawha Springs Road, Kaikohe
20 January 2024

Paparoa A&P Show

Paparoa A&P Showgrounds, 2062 Paparoa Valley Road, Paparoa
3 February 2024

Waitangi Day

Waitangi Treaty Grounds, Bay of Islands
6 February 2024

North Hokianga (Broadwood) A&P Show

1062 Broadwood Road, Broadwood
17 February 2024

Kaitaia A&P Show

30B State Highway 1, Kaitaia
24 February 2024

Northland Field Days

33 Awakino Point East Road, Dargaville
29 February – 2 March 2024