Freshwater policy reform

What is changing

In mid-December 2023, the coalition Government announced it will replace or update many pieces of national direction that sit under the Resource Management Act (RMA). The section below shows the scale of changes proposed over a wide range of topics, as well as DairyNZ’s advocacy priorities on behalf of farmers.

A National Policy Statement (NPS) is a document that sets out objectives and policies for matters of national significance. NPS’s are issued by the central government under the Resource Management Act (RMA) and direct Regional Councils to carry out implementation. An example of an NPS policy is National Bottom Lines for nutrients.

National Environmental Standards (NES) are nationally consistent regulations made under the Resource Management Act 1991. They set out specific requirements or rules on activities that affect the environment, for example the N Cap or Intensive Winter Grazing.

What are the key changes?

Some of the key changes will be made through a replacement to the National Policy Statement for Freshwater Management 2020 (NPS-FM), as it is currently complex, expensive and will not deliver desired outcomes. The replacement process will happen this year, with the Government expected to clarify the new direction in early to mid-2025. Regional councils are not able to formally notify any changes to freshwater regulations until a new NPS-FM is in place. This will ensure regional plans reflect the latest national policy and avoid unnecessary cost and confusion.

The Government has also signalled changes to the National Environment Standards for Freshwater, which include things like N-Cap and Wetlands. These changes can impact the day-to-day operations of a farm and can be enacted quickly. We will keep this page up to date with any changes being considered regarding farming practices.

What is DairyNZ’s role?

DairyNZ is working proactively to develop pragmatic solutions to policy issues addressed by the NPS-FM. Our approach works to deliver on ecosystem health and human health outcomes while being meaningful and practical to implement at a farm or catchment level. Four key outcomes we are seeking in a new approach to freshwater management are:

• Practical and effective – a science-based approach that drives real improvement, encourages collaboration, and clearly links on-farm actions to freshwater outcomes.
• Outcome-focused – prioritising human and ecosystem health outcomes over strict contaminant limits as proxies for these outcomes.
• Farmer-led catchment level solutions – supporting catchment and farmer-led freshwater planning and delivery with a mix of regulatory and voluntary actions.
• Balanced policy – ensuring long-term environmental and economic sustainability with clear regulations and market confidence.

Both the existing national policy direction and any replacement will be implemented differently within each region, and so our responses will vary from region to region. As part of our support for dairy farmers, we are involved in many regional primary sector stakeholder groups where we have an opportunity to give dairy-specific feedback to the council. DairyNZ works also across the pastoral sector to find alignment with other industry organisations where relevant.

Find out more about our regional advocacy.

We also work with our DairyNZ technical experts to respond to regional council water quality and economic assessments. DairyNZ is active in other policy areas too - our work with Freshwater Farm Plans, N-cap and wintering regulations are some examples of where we have successfully advocated for changes to regulations and more pragmatic on-farm implementation.

What is DairyNZ doing currently?

DairyNZ is involved at both national and regional levels through engagement with Ministers and officials and Regional Councils.

DairyNZ will continue to proactively work with regional councils to improve their evidence base for regional rules around freshwater policy, and to find constructive policy solutions for farmers. DairyNZ recommends farmers continue their great work towards achieving Good Farming Practice. There are also national regulations and regional rules which are still in place that farmers need to follow.