National freshwater policy and standards - a farmers guide

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In 2020, the government launched this set of National Environmental Standards and Regulations aimed at restoring and protecting the health of our waterways within a generation.

These rules apply to all farmers and are in addition to the existing regional rules in the Tasman Resource Management Plan. They’re being rolled out in phases, giving you and the Council time to prepare and adjust. We have unpicked these rules and presented them here in an easily digestible format.

Freshwater policy and standards

The national rules cover the following topics:

Freshwater Farm Plans

All farms with 20 hectares or more in arable or pastoral use, 5 hectares or more in horticultural use, and/or 20 hectares or more of combined use will require a certified Freshwater Farm Plan.

Find out about the new requirement for a Freshwater Farm Plan for your farm.

Synthetic Nitrogen Fertiliser cap

On grazed land, you can no longer apply more than 190 kg of synthetic nitrogen fertiliser per hectare per year (190kgN/ha/yr) without resource consent. You must also record your fertiliser use, and if you are a dairy farmer, report your use back to Council each year.

Find out how the new rules might affect synthetic nitrogen caps on your farm.

Intensive Winter Grazing

The coalition Government has simplified the National Regulations for Intensive Winter Grazing, effective from 25 October 2024.

Farmers now only need to follow two key standards. Restrictions on grazing expansion and new activities have been removed, as well as the option to apply for a resource consent or use a Freshwater Farm Plan for compliance.

Find out how the new rules might affect intensive winter grazing on your farm.

Keeping Stock out of Waterways

From 2023 or 2025 certain stock classes must be excluded from any natural wetland, lake, or any waterway that is more than 1m wide. New fencing will need to be set back by at least 3m. New farm systems will require immediate exclusion for the same stock classes.

Find out how the new rules might affect stock exclusion on your farm.

Wetland management

Any activity that disturbs wetlands (e.g. earthworks) can only be carried out for certain reasons, such as restoration, clearing debris, or scientific research, and may require resource consent.

Find out how the new rules might affect wetland management on your farm.

Agricultural intensification

The coalition Government revoked the National Agricultural Intensification rules on 1 January 2025, making them no longer relevant.

These national rules dictated how you could expand/modify certain land uses, like dairy farms and support land, and irrigated areas.

These rules began on 3 September 2020 and ended on 1 January 2025.

Feedlots and stockholding areas

Using land for feedlots and stockholding areas is allowed and doesn’t require resource consent if at least 90% of the cattle are under 4 months old or weigh less than 120kg. Otherwise, you will require resource consent.

Find out how the new rules might affect your feedlots and stockholding areas.

Water metering

All consented water takes require a water meter. Readings must be reported to Council each week.

Find out more about water metering and how this applies to you.

Fish passage

Culverts, weirs, flap gates, fords, and dams installed after 3 September 2020 must meet minimum reporting and environmental requirements such as height, width, and location, and may require resource consent.

Find out how the new rules affect fish passage on your property.