Freshwater farm plans for lifestyle blocks

Freshwater on your property is part of a greater catchment system, which carries contaminants all the way to our harbours, estuaries and coastlines. Any sediment, bacteria or nutrients reaching waterways on your property could travel far beyond your boundary, and affect the ability of many people to enjoy our coastal environment.

The New Zealand government is in the process of creating regulations around freshwater farm plans, to improve freshwater quality and respond to climate change.

If you own a property with 20 or more hectares in arable or pastoral land use, or five or more hectares in horticultural land use, you will likely need to have a freshwater farm plan – though you don’t need to get one right now.

Find out more about Freshwater Farm Plans and the draft Freshwater Plan Change.