Feedback on the future management of our wai has closed
Northland Regional Council has put together draft changes to the freshwater plan for Te Taitokerau. It includes potential new rules that could mean big changes to how land and freshwater is managed in our region.
Ko tātou ko te wai, ko te wai ko tātou – We are the water and the water is us.
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
- 29 November 2023
- 30 November 2023
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
Watch: Wai, it matters
Freshwater plan change timeline
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2020-2023Engagement with tāngata whenua, key stakeholders, and the community; development of the draft Freshwater Plan Change.
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1 November 2023 - 31 March 2024Have your say on the draft Freshwater Plan Change.
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December 2027Deadline for council to release (notify) proposed Freshwater Plan Change. Submissions will be heard by the Freshwater Hearing Panel, which will make recommendations on content to council. Following this, council will decide whether to adopt the recommendations.