Horizons acknowledges announcements made by central government throughout 2024 about potential changes to the freshwater farm plan system, including the one made in September 2024 regarding pausing the rollout of freshwater farm plans. You can read the pause announcement here. We are working with central government to ensure the freshwater farm plan system is cost effective and pragmatic while supporting our communities' aspirations for improved freshwater quality. The content below should be read with the pause announcement in mind. Freshwater farm plan regulations came into effect in parts of the Horizons Region on 1 April 2024. The plans are a practical way for farmers and growers to identify, manage and reduce the impact of farming on wai māori (freshwater). Farmers and growers in the Horizons Region are already making good progres in improving wai māori (freshwater). Many belong to catchment groups, have farm plans, and are working to mitigate the impact of farming activities on wai māori (freshwater). Freshwater farm plans will build on the good mahi (work) farmers and growers have done and continue to do. Head to the Freshwater Farm Plan Support page to get more detailed information, including a link to our map tool which will help you gather maps to be included with your freshwater farm plan. You should also look at the Catchment Context, Challenges and Values page - that contains key information you need to ensure you can link your plan to the catchment you operate in.
We've also created a two-page printable flyer which has key information about how freshwater farm plans are being implemented in the Horizons Region. Horizons staff will also have copies at events like Central Districts Field Days for you to take away.
Download the freshwater farm plan flyer
You can also download this document for a printable generic introduction to freshwater farm plans, or find information on the Ministry for the Environment's website. This webpage and associated links will continue to be updated as more information is available.
Catchment context, challenges and values
Maps, certifiers, auditors & other info
Freshwater Farm Plan FAQs
Ministry for the Environment webpage
Freshwater farm plans have been introduced as part of central government’s Essential Freshwater package and are part of a regulated farm planning system for farmers and growers. A freshwater farm plan must identify:
The plan must also set a timeframe for each action to be implemented.
Over time, freshwater farm plans are expected to become the central tool for farmers and growers to manage all of their freshwater regulatory requirements. More information can be found in the Ministry for the Environment's guidance document Developing a Freshwater Farm Plan.
Any farmer or grower with:
You can find out more about freshwater management units in the Horizons Region here. *We know central government is looking to make improvements to the freshwater farm planning system. While these timelines are currently correct and you should work towards them, they could be subject to change once central government confirms any changes to the freshwater farm planning system - including the rollout pause mentioned at the top of this page. Please contact Horizons by emailing FreshwaterFarmPlans@horizons.govt.nz if you need to confirm any details, including rollout timeframes.
A lot of farmers and growers will already have an industry plan in place. Those can form the basis of a freshwater farm plan, but will need to be modified to ensure they meet freshwater farm plan requirements. Some industry groups are already preparing for this by adding additional items into industry plan platforms, and doing other things to help farmers and growers get current plans closer to freshwater farm plan standard.
Horizons is pulling together catchment contexts (aka CCCVs) to provide you with the context, challenges and values of the catchment you operate in. The context is the key piece of information about your catchment, as each freshwater farm plan needs a description of the catchment the property is in. These will enable you to meet the requirement of tailoring your plans to identify the best actions possible to achieve the desired environmental outcomes for the wai māori (freshwater) of your catchment. The first set for Rangitīkei-Turakina is ready now. The remaining catchments will be available on or before their go-live dates.
Click here for catchment context, challenges and values information
We are also providing a range of maps which will help to identify environmental risks - things required in freshwater farm plans. You can find these on the Freshwater Farm Plan Support Information page.
Click here for maps and other important information
Horizons is here to support the implementation of freshwater farm plans. Staff are talking directly to tangata whenua, industry groups, catchment groups, rural professionals, and other organisations that will also play a role in the development of freshwater farm plans. We highly recommend you connect with your local catchment care groups and rural professionals for this process. You can also call freephone 0508 800 800 or email FreshwaterFarmPlans@horizons.govt.nz if you need any information on these webpages clarified.