The Resource Management Act (RMA) is the foundation of freshwater management in New Zealand. The primary planning ‘tools’ are policies and rules in Regional Plans. Central Government can also make national policy and regulations under the RMA.
Relevant policies and documents
Summary of Acceptable Solutions
June 2025
HortNZ provides a summary of the Acceptable Solutions consultation, which will affect growers who supply drinking water.
PDF, 217 KB.
Submission on Acceptable Solutions
June 2025
In a submission to Taumata Arowai, HortNZ called for practical compliance options for rural drinking water suppliers.
PDF, 388 KB.
Feedback on NPSFM amendments
December 2024
HortNZ provided Government with early feedback on potential amendments to the NPSFM as part of targeted stakeholder consultation.
PDF, 756 KB.
Summary proposal for National Direction for Commercial Vegetable Production
November 2024
HortNZ produced a summarised call for National Direction for Vegetables, with proposed amendments to the RMA, NPSFM and NES Freshwater.
PDF, 81 KB.
Position paper on National Direction for Commercial Vegetable Production
July 2024
HortNZ is advocating for national direction for commercial vegetable production due to its strategic importance for domestic food supply and the unworkable rules being implemented across multiple regions.
PDF, 4.3 MB.
Fresh fruit from freshwater
June 2024
This StoryMap explores how orchardists manage their freshwater use for frost protection and irrigation. It also discusses nutrient management, industry assurance, and how research and extension is driving best practice.
Submission on Risk Index Tool implementation guidance
May 2024
HortNZ provided feedback on the Risk Index Tool Implementation Guidance with a focus on highlighting the risks of using it for Commercial Vegetable Use.
PDF, 482 KB.
Fresh produce and freshwater
January 2024
This StoryMap explores how vegetable growers manage their freshwater risk through best practices and industry assurance programmes. It contains interactive data and compelling case studies.
Summary of Three Waters Reforms
April 2023
HortNZ summarised the recent changes to the Three Water Reforms, now known as the Affordable Water Reforms.
PDF, 61 KB.
Submission on Resource Management (Freshwater Farm Plans) Regulations 2023
February 2023
HortNZ summarised our concerns with the Freshwater Farm Plan Regulations, including the lack of public consultation.
PDF, 336 KB.
Submission on Water Services Legislation Bill
February 2023
HortNZ wrote a submission on the Water Services Legislation Bill. The bill clarifies the functions of water services entities and defines small rural mixed-use water schemes as part of the Three Waters reforms.
PDF, 433 KB.
Summary of submission on NESDW
May 2022
HortNZ summarised our submission on Government proposals to amend the NESDW as part of wider three waters reform.
PDF, 128 KB.
Submission on NESDW
March 2022
HortNZ wrote a submission on Government proposals to amend the National Environmental Standard for Sources of Human Drinking Water (NESDW) - as part of wider three waters reform.
PDF, 5.3 MB.
Summary of the Water Services Act
December 2021
HortNZ summarised the new rules under the Water Services Act, which sets a new regulatory framework for drinking water, to help growers determine whether they are affected.
PDF, 126 KB.
Summary of Government review of Overseer
August 2021
The Ministry for Primary Industries and the Ministry for the Environment commissioned an independent peer review of Overseer and the Government responded. HortNZ summarised the process and provided our own position in this document.
PDF, 55 KB.
Submission on the Freshwater Farm Plan Regulations Discussion Document
October 2021
HortNZ commented on pathways for industry assurance programmes to facilitate freshwater farm plans.
PDF, 885 KB.
Summary of Essential Freshwater requirements
October 2021
Essential Freshwater is part of the Government’s Action for Healthy Waterways package. It covered a suite of new regulations including a new National Policy Statement for Freshwater Management and National Environmental Standards for Freshwater.
PDF, 248 KB.