Self-certification portal - Kai Iwi Lakes

Self-certification is a simple process where you fill in a survey to confirm that you've followed correct biosecurity protocol (Check, Clean, Dry) to ensure your watercraft and equipment are free from freshwater pests. 

We want you to carry out Check, Clean, Dry when moving between waterways, ideally when you leave the previous freshwater environment and at least 48 hours in advance of arriving at the next waterway.

Check, Clean, Dry is the biosecurity protocol designed as the best method to prevent the spread of freshwater pests. 

Check

• Remove any plant matter, mud or visible weed or clams from your gear and leave it at the river or lake bank, or put it in the rubbish. Drain all river or lake water from your boat, ballast tanks and gear.

Clean

• Blast your gear and craft with tap water onto grass, not into a stormwater system or drain.
• For absorbent materials, use one of the following treatments.
  • Soak in hot tap water (50°C to 55°C) for at least 5 minutes, or
  • Soak in 5% bleach solution (5 litre mix = 250ml bleach in 4.75 litres water) for an hour, or
  • Freeze till solid (overnight), or
  • Soak in salt solution at 100ppt (parts per thousand) (5 litre mix = 500g salt in 5 litres warm water) for 4 hours.

Get a full list of approved treatments, including options for situations where none of the above is suitable, from mpi.govt.nz - Treatment options

Dry

Dry areas inside watercraft where water has pooled, then leave the craft to dry for at least 48 hours (2 days).

Allow gear to dry to touch, inside and out, then leave it to dry for at least 48 hours (2 days) before using again. 

More information can be found on the MPI website at: mpi.govt.nz

We are introducing self-certification to Kai Iwi lakes in 2025, other high use recreational lakes in Northland will follow. Anyone using boats, trailers, fishing gear, jet skis, or other equipment into Lake Taharoa, Lake Waikare and Lake Kai Iwi should complete a self-certification. This includes:

• Recreational users
• Visitors from other regions (e.g. Auckland, Waikato, Bay of Plenty)
• Commercial operators
• Event organisers

If you're bringing gear from outside Northland, self-certification helps ensure you're not unintentionally introducing aquatic pests like invasive freshwater clam.

You should complete the self-certification within 48 hours of using the lake so that your registration plate is easily visible to compliance officers.  

The best time to Check, Clean and Dry your watercraft is directly after using another waterway. This ensures the Dry time is as long as possible. It is important to check any areas where water can pool, including anchor wells, cabins, jetski storage areas and kayaks. You will then need to complete self-certification within 48 hours of visiting Kai Iwi Lakes. There will be QR codes available on signage at the Lake Taharoa boat ramp, or you can complete the self-certification form here.

This ensures you've followed Check, Clean, Dry protocols and reduces the risk of pest transfer between regions.

You can complete the online form below. It only takes a few minutes and confirms that you've cleaned and dried your gear before entering a new waterway.

Or you can download a PDF version of the form to print and complete.

Check, clean, dry self-certification form (PDF 53 KB)

Under the Taharoa Domain Bylaws 2019, an officer may refuse a vessel or power-drive vessel access to the Lakes if the owner or master refuses to undertake a biosecurity check upon request [Section 8(8)]

While self-certification may not be legally mandatory in all areas, it is strongly encouraged as part of best-practice biosecurity. In some regions (like Waikato), Controlled Area Notices (CANs) make it a legal requirement. NRC may adopt similar measures in the future.

Your vehicle registration plate will be kept on record to allow compliance checks by biosecurity officers at the lakes. 

This self-certification is conducted by the Northland Regional Council under the Biosecurity Act 1993. We are collecting personal information from you for the purposes of monitoring lake use and compliance with check, clean, dry protocols.  The provision of this information collected is mandatory under section 43 of the Biosecurity Act 1993 and may be shared with Biosecurity New Zealand. You have the right to ask for a copy of any personal information we hold about you, and to ask for it to be corrected if you think it is wrong. If you’d like to ask for a copy of your information, or to have it corrected, please contact us at NRC on 0800 002 004.  A copy of our Privacy Policy is available on request. 

Self-certification will be introduced first at Lake Taharoa as this is Northland’s highest use recreational lake. It will be expanded to other lakes in the future. You should Check, Clean and Dry EVERY time you access a freshwater environment in Northland, regardless of whether self-certification is required.

At Lake Taharoa, you must self-certify every time you access the lake. If you are camping at the lake for an extended period of time, you will be given a plastic tag to attach to your vehicle or boat trailer to indicate that you have been through the biosecurity checkpoint.

If you’ve already moved gear, clean and dry it thoroughly before your next use. Then complete the certification as soon as possible. Regular compliance helps protect our waterways and reduces the risk of pest spread.

Yes. A downloadable PDF version is available for those without internet access or for use at remote sites.  Biosecurity officers will have these available at the checkpoint at Taharoa Domain. 

Check, clean, dry self-certification form (PDF 53 KB)

Self-certification helps stop the spread of invasive freshwater clam (Corbicula fluminea), didymo, hornwort, and other aquatic pests that can damage ecosystems and infrastructure