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Resource Management Act 1991

Freshwater farm plans

217E: Main duties of farm operators

You could also call this:

"Rules for farm owners to protect the environment and follow the law"

Illustration for Resource Management Act 1991

If you are a farm operator, you must follow certain rules. You need to submit your freshwater farm plan for certification if your farm is doing certain activities, is in a specific catchment, or if you are required to do so for other regulatory reasons. You can find more information about these regulations in the Resource Management Act 1991.

You must prepare a freshwater farm plan that meets the requirements of this Act and regulations. You also need to make sure your farm operates in line with this plan and arrange for audits to check compliance.

If you make changes to your farm, you must update your freshwater farm plan to reflect these changes. You must also update your plan if regulations change. If certain circumstances apply, you must amend and recertify your plan.

If you choose to have your freshwater farm plan certified, even if it is not required, you must follow the same certification rules as farm operators who are required to have their plans certified.

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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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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).