Freshwater Working Groups

National Policy Statement for Freshwater Management

Central government's "National Policy Statement for Freshwater Management” (NPS-FM) sets up a new direction for the management of freshwater resources in New Zealand. Freshwater quality (what is in the water) in Nelson needs to be maintained and enhanced. For freshwater quantity (how much), there needs to be an improvement in the way we use and allocate water.

The NPS-FM sets out objectives and policies that direct Council to manage water in a sustainable way, while providing for economic growth within set water quantity and quality limits. 

Freshwater Management Units

The NPS-FM requires us to identify freshwater management units (FMUs) which are groups of water bodies that are similar, both physically and/or socially (e.g. who uses them and for what). We have identified five FMUs in our region, being Whangamoa, Wakapuaka, Maitai, Stoke and Roding.  Each of these FMUs vary in land uses, water quality and quantity issues, and our options for future sustainable management.

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Freshwater Working Groups

In 2015, we established three freshwater working groups which cover North Nelson (Whangamoa/Wakapuaka), Maitai and Stoke FMU areas.  The purpose of these groups is to share knowledge and work together through the planning process to help inform the setting of freshwater objectives and limits as prescribed in the NPS-FM. 

Our groups are set up as working and advisory groups, providing opportunities to foster conversations and relationships and to share learnings and skill development between members and Council. They are not governance or decision-making groups. 

Our group membership includes representatives from iwi, catchment residents and landowners, government agencies, non-governmental organisations (NGOs), community groups, the scientific community, forestry companies, the farming community, water users, and businesses.    

For more information on our freshwater working groups or if you would like to become involved, please contact nelson.plan@ncc.govt.nz.

Freshwater Planning and the Whakamahere Whakatū Nelson Plan

The process to set freshwater objectives and limits will ultimately be used for the development of the freshwater section of the Whakamahere Whakatu Nelson Plan which will replace the current Nelson Resource Management Plan.

The following diagram shows the process we are working through to develop the freshwater section of the Nelson Plan, guided by the NPS-FM and the statutory Resource Management Act plan preparation process.

Preparation of the freshwater section of the Nelson Plan

It is anticipated that our freshwater working groups will continue to meet until such time that the draft Nelson Plan freshwater section has been developed. There will also be opportunities for targeted engagement with stakeholders such as forestry, industry and farmers/landowners.  We are also working in partnership with Iwi of Te Tau Ihu, through an iwi working group, to discuss and seek feedback on the significant resource management issues to iwi and preparation of the Nelson Plan.

It is anticipated that the wider community will also have the opportunity to get involved and comment on the freshwater section of the Draft Nelson Plan once released for feedback.

More information on the Nelson Plan, including the process and timeframes, can be viewed here.

We are also working with our community to implement a number of existing non-regulatory programmes which contribute to the maintenance and enhancement of Nelson’s freshwater bodies including Nelson Nature.   

Useful Information and Reports