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Resource Management Act 1991

Freshwater farm plans

217E: Main duties of farm operators

You could also call this:

"Farmers' main jobs to protect freshwater"

Illustration for Resource Management Act 1991

If you are a farm operator, you must submit your freshwater farm plan for certification if your farm is doing certain activities, is in a certain catchment, or you need to meet other rules. You have to prepare a freshwater farm plan, make sure your farm follows the plan, and get your farm audited to check you are following the plan. You must keep your freshwater farm plan up to date by changing it if your farm changes or if the rules change. You may also need to update and recertify your plan if certain circumstances happen, as outlined in the regulations. If you choose to certify your freshwater farm plan even if you do not have to, you must follow the same rules as farm operators who are required to certify their plans.

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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.

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Topics:
Environment and resources > ConservationEnvironment and resources > Farming and fishingBusiness > Industry rules
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217D: Farm must have freshwater farm plan if it meets land use threshold, or

"Farms with lots of land must have a freshwater plan to help keep water clean."

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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 9AFreshwater farm plans

217EMain duties of farm operators

  1. A farm operator who is required to have a freshwater farm plan must submit the plan for certification if—

  2. the farm is undertaking activities identified in activity-based criteria prescribed in regulations; or
    1. the farm is located in a catchment prescribed in regulations; or
      1. the operator is required to submit the freshwater farm plan for certification to meet other regulatory requirements.

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

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

                    2. A farm operator must comply with the same freshwater farm plan certification requirements under this Act as a farm operator referred to in subsection (1AAA) if—

                    3. the farm operator is not required under subsection (1AAA) to have the farm’s freshwater farm plan certified; but
                      1. the farm operator chooses to have the farm’s freshwater farm plan certified.

                        Notes
                        • Section 217E: inserted, on , by section 64 of the Resource Management Amendment Act 2020 (2020 No 30).
                        • Section 217E(1AAA): inserted, on , by section 63(1) of the Resource Management (Consenting and Other System Changes) Amendment Act 2025 (2025 No 41).
                        • Section 217E(1): amended, on , by section 63(2) of the Resource Management (Consenting and Other System Changes) Amendment Act 2025 (2025 No 41).
                        • Section 217E(1)(b): repealed, on , by section 63(3) of the Resource Management (Consenting and Other System Changes) Amendment Act 2025 (2025 No 41).
                        • Section 217E(4): inserted, on , by section 63(4) of the Resource Management (Consenting and Other System Changes) Amendment Act 2025 (2025 No 41).