Plain language law

New Zealand law explained for everyone

Resource Management Act 1991

Freshwater farm plans

217E: Main duties of farm operators

You could also call this:

“Farm operators must create, follow, and update a special plan to protect freshwater on their farms.”

As a farm operator, you have some important duties if your farm needs a certified freshwater farm plan. You must create a plan that follows the rules set out in this part of the law and in the regulations. After you make the plan, you need to send it to someone called a certifier who will check it.

Once your plan is certified, you have to make sure your farm follows the plan. You also need to arrange for someone to check your farm to make sure you’re following the plan.

It’s your job to keep your certified freshwater farm plan up to date. If anything changes on your farm, you need to update the plan. You also need to change the plan if the rules in this part of the law or the regulations change.

Sometimes, the regulations might say you need to change your plan and get it certified again. If this happens, you must do so.

Remember, these are your main duties as a farm operator when it comes to freshwater farm plans. It’s important to follow these rules to help protect our freshwater.

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View the original legislation for this page at https://legislation.govt.nz/act/public/1986/0120/latest/link.aspx?id=LMS375851.

Topics:
Environment and resources > Farming and fishing
Environment and resources > Conservation
Government and voting > Local councils
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217D: Farm must have certified freshwater farm plan if it meets land use threshold, or

“Farms over a certain size or with specific types of land use must have a special plan to protect freshwater.”

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217F: Contents of freshwater farm plan, or

“This law explains what a farmer must include in their plan to protect water and nature on their farm.”

Part 9A Freshwater farm plans

217EMain duties of farm operators

  1. A farm operator of a farm that is required to have a certified freshwater farm plan must—

  2. prepare a freshwater farm plan in accordance with this Part and regulations; and
    1. submit the plan to a certifier for certification; and
      1. ensure that the farm operates in compliance with the certified freshwater farm plan; and
        1. arrange for the farm to be audited in accordance with this Part and regulations for compliance with the certified freshwater farm plan.

          1. A farm operator must keep the certified freshwater farm plan fit for purpose by—

          2. amending the plan as necessary to reflect any changes in the farm; and
            1. amending the plan as necessary to comply with this Part and regulations.

              1. A farm operator must amend and recertify a certified freshwater farm plan if any circumstances prescribed by regulations apply.

              Notes
              • Section 217E: inserted, on , by section 64 of the Resource Management Amendment Act 2020 (2020 No 30).