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. Creating freshwater farm plans are new for everyone who needs them. The information here aims to help you get started on your freshwater farm plan and provide some of the information you will need to complete them.
We have a series of downloadable guides available below to help you tailor your freshwater farm plan to the requirements of your farming operation:
Many farmers and growers have already done similar planning, including Whole Farm Plans under Horizons’ Sustainable Land Use Initiative (SLUI), and mahi (work) under the New Zealand Farm Assurance Programme and Good Agricultural Practice scheme. These plans can be used as a starting point for your freshwater farm plans – if you want more information on how to use your SLUI Whole Farm Plan in particular, please reach out to our Land team for assistance on freephone 0508 800 800 or email FreshwaterFarmPlans@horizons.govt.nz with 'SLUI' as the subject.
Click here for the map viewer
There is a map of Land Use Capability legends which overlap with the Horizons region in the map viewer. You can get background information on these Land Use Capability legends via these links:
Horizons developed training modules for freshwater farm plan certifier training. However, these modules have significant value well beyond the freshwater farm plan system. We are making these available to view as they may be helpful for farmers and growers in a range of circumstances.
Freshwater Farm Plan Homepage
Catchment context, challenges and values
Freshwater Farm Plan FAQs
Ministry for the Environment webpage