Latest news with #TeManaoteWai
1News
20 hours ago
- Politics
- 1News
Sweeping RMA changes for housing, freshwater, infrastructure rules proposed
Sweeping changes to the rules governing councils' oversight of everything from housing — to mining — to agriculture — under the Resource Management Act are being released to the public for feedback. The government has released discussion documents covering 12 national policy statements and similar instruments, with the aim of having 16 new or updated ones by the end of the year — ahead of legislation replacing the RMA next year. The consultation covers three main topics: infrastructure and development, the primary sector and freshwater. It is open from May 29 to July 27. The topics cover a wide range of portfolios, the early afternoon announcement fronted by RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop, Agriculture Minister Todd McClay, Energy Minister Simon Watts, Regional Development Minister Shane Jones, Associate Environment Minister Andrew Hoggard, and Associate Housing Minister Tama Potaka. RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop. (Source: ADVERTISEMENT "The changes we're now proposing to national direction under the existing RMA give effect to a range of coalition commitments, can be done quickly and relatively easily, and will help unclog the growth arteries of the economy," Bishop said. "Next year we'll replace the RMA with new legislation premised on property rights. Our new system will provide a framework that makes it easier to plan and deliver infrastructure and energy projects, as well a protecting the environment." Freshwater The changes would "rebalance Te Mana o te Wai to better reflect the interests of all water users", with councils able to "tailor" monitoring and management to local conditions. Councils would be directed to consider how they could help ensure stable domestic food supply, including providing for crop rotation in regional plans. Crop rotation within catchments could be allowed without a consent. Water storage rules would change aiming to ensure water flows during dry periods, protect against climate-change-caused drought, and reduce the need for extraction from natural rivers and lakes. Wetland regulations would change aiming to protect water filtration, flood control, and habitat for diverse species. ADVERTISEMENT The definition of "wetland" would be amended, now excluding unintentionally created "induced" wetlands, and allowing farming activities like irrigation, on-farm water storage and fencing considered "unlikely" to have an adverse effect, while constructed wetlands would have a new objective, standards, and consent pathway. Councils would no longer need to map wetlands by 2030, but Source Water Risk Management areas would now need to be mapped "to help safeguard drinking water sources from contamination". The government is also proposing to "simplify" requirements for fish passages to reduce the administrative burden "while still providing appropriate protection". Changes to rules for synthetic fertiliser are also proposed. Agriculture Minister Todd McClay. (Source: Primary sector Highly productive land changes would extend the timeframes to 2027/28, see the removal of the "Land Use Capability 3" category and trial the use of "special agricultural areas". ADVERTISEMENT Grazed beef cattle and deer in low intensity farms would no longer need to be kept out of wetlands. In forestry, councils would lose the ability to set harder controls, slash would need to be planned for and — above a certain size — removed, and low-intensity harvesting will be permitted by default if "any relevant forest planning requirement is complied with". Restrictions on mines and quarries in wetlands would be loosened. Aquaculture changes aim to streamline consenting for activities and research, and allow small structures in coastal marine areas with no consent. Infrastructure and development Granny flats of up to 70sqm, and papakāinga of up to 10 homes would be allowed without a consent on specific land zones. Papakāinga would also allow commercial activities of up to 100sqm, conservation activity, accommodation for up to eight guests, along with education, health, sports, marae, urupā and māra kai facilities. Medium papakāinga of up to 30 homes would be considered a "restricted discretionary" activity, with those of more than 30 units becoming "discretionary" activities. ADVERTISEMENT Energy changes include new policies on supporting the needs of the electricity network and management of environmental interests, and another new policy on recognising and providing for Māori interests in electricity transmission, and other changes. These would allow more routine work on electricity networks, establish a National Grid Yard and Subdivision Corridor, and scrap consenting for distribution and EV charging infrastructure. A new policy for natural hazards — covering flooding, landslips, coastal erosion, coastal inundation, active faults, liquefaction and tsunami — would cover all environments and zones including coastal environments, directing councils to take a risk-based approach and assess risk based on "likelihood and consequence". A definition of "significant risk" using a risk matrix would be provided, with councils directed to also use the best available information when making decisions. In telecommunications, new poles would be allowed by default in more areas, with restrictions in the road reserve also removed. Renewable energy generation, temporary facilities and connection lines to heritage buildings for telecommunications would no longer need consenting.
Scoop
a day ago
- Politics
- Scoop
'Don't Be Fooled': Govt's Freshwater Reforms Means More Pollution In Your Water & Commercial Control Of Public Resources
Press Release – Choose Clean Water Choose Clean Water says its important for the public to make submissions on the changes (these can be made until 27 July 2025) but its just as important for the public to contact MPs and Ministers directly to voice their opposition. 29 May 2025 Freshwater campaigners are saying 'don't be fooled' by the Coalition Government's rhetoric in today's freshwater policy announcement. What it really means for New Zealanders is more pollution in rivers, lakes, and drinking water sources and the handing over of more power to commercial interests to control a fundamental public resource. The Coalition Government made its long-awaited announcement on freshwater policy reform today and Choose Clean Water's spokesperson Tom Kay says it confirms what has been feared. 'Ministers are using comforting words like 'balance' but the details of this policy demonstrate that this is not about balance or protecting the public. The Government is proposing to remove existing bottom lines and change the long overdue prioritisation of the health of people and waterways provided by Te Mana o Te Wai.' 'Don't be fooled, this is a massive blow for the health of our water and the health of our communities.' Te Mana o te Wai is a vastly improved decision-making framework in the existing National Policy Statement for Freshwater Management 2020. It requires regional councils to provide for the protection of the health of waterways and the health needs of people (i.e. access to safe, good quality drinking water) before commercial uses can be considered. It was strengthened following the failure of previous National Policy Statements in 2011, 2014, and 2017 to improve the health of freshwater in New Zealand, and widespread public support for the Government to act. 'What Te Mana o te Wai finally provided, in the 2020 version of our national freshwater policy, was sufficient weight to the public interest and need for healthy water. Before this, people's drinking water and waterways were regularly losing out to commercial pressures, which we saw result in sick rivers and lakes, the drying up of rivers and groundwater, and undrinkable water sources around the country.' 'In the 2020 national policy statement, it was finally recognised that communities couldn't continue like that—it was unstable, unsustainable, and unhealthy.' The group says Minister Hoggard's ACT party has consistently misrepresented Te Mana o Te Wai and used race-baiting to generate misguided anger towards a policy that protects all New Zealanders. Leader of the ACT Party, David Seymour, has stated that Te Mana o te Wai is 'the same as waving crystals over the water to drive out evil spirits, and it's truly bonkers.' 'This is not only nasty and insulting but it's also plain wrong,' says Kay. 'Te Mana o te Wai is simply a framework that says we have to ensure our water is healthy enough to support itself and our people before it can support commercial interests. It doesn't rule out business—it just says that business can't occur at the cost of our communities' health.' Previous consultation on changes to freshwater policy under the Resource Management Act demonstrated most regional councils support Te Mana o te Wai. 'Not only that, groups from Water NZ to Seafood NZ to Forest & Bird to public health advocates support Te Mana o te Wai because it makes priorities clearer for decision makers and provides better protection for the health of waterways and people.' Minister Hoggard and Minister McClay's announcement is consistent with the Coalition Government's approach to handing over more power to extractive commercial interests and removing basic protections for New Zealanders. 'Polluting industries have massively influenced this freshwater policy. The Government is following the requests of groups like DairyNZ who have asked the Government to remove bottom lines and for industry control of instruments like farm plans. This Coalition Government is captured by big industries, we saw it with tobacco and now we're seeing it with agribusiness.' Choose Clean Water says it's important for the public to make submissions on the changes (these can be made until 27 July 2025) but it's just as important for the public to contact MPs and Ministers directly to voice their opposition. 'We have a good existing national policy statement for freshwater. It puts us all on the path to restoration and health over time and still allows for productive land use to support communities. The Coalition Government is making changes New Zealand simply doesn't need and that will take us backwards.'
Scoop
2 days ago
- Politics
- Scoop
'Don't Be Fooled': Govt's Freshwater Reforms Means More Pollution In Your Water & Commercial Control Of Public Resources
29 May 2025 Freshwater campaigners are saying 'don't be fooled' by the Coalition Government's rhetoric in today's freshwater policy announcement. What it really means for New Zealanders is more pollution in rivers, lakes, and drinking water sources and the handing over of more power to commercial interests to control a fundamental public resource. The Coalition Government made its long-awaited announcement on freshwater policy reform today and Choose Clean Water's spokesperson Tom Kay says it confirms what has been feared. 'Ministers are using comforting words like 'balance' but the details of this policy demonstrate that this is not about balance or protecting the public. The Government is proposing to remove existing bottom lines and change the long overdue prioritisation of the health of people and waterways provided by Te Mana o Te Wai.' 'Don't be fooled, this is a massive blow for the health of our water and the health of our communities.' Te Mana o te Wai is a vastly improved decision-making framework in the existing National Policy Statement for Freshwater Management 2020. It requires regional councils to provide for the protection of the health of waterways and the health needs of people (i.e. access to safe, good quality drinking water) before commercial uses can be considered. It was strengthened following the failure of previous National Policy Statements in 2011, 2014, and 2017 to improve the health of freshwater in New Zealand, and widespread public support for the Government to act. 'What Te Mana o te Wai finally provided, in the 2020 version of our national freshwater policy, was sufficient weight to the public interest and need for healthy water. Before this, people's drinking water and waterways were regularly losing out to commercial pressures, which we saw result in sick rivers and lakes, the drying up of rivers and groundwater, and undrinkable water sources around the country.' 'In the 2020 national policy statement, it was finally recognised that communities couldn't continue like that—it was unstable, unsustainable, and unhealthy.' The group says Minister Hoggard's ACT party has consistently misrepresented Te Mana o Te Wai and used race-baiting to generate misguided anger towards a policy that protects all New Zealanders. Leader of the ACT Party, David Seymour, has stated that Te Mana o te Wai is 'the same as waving crystals over the water to drive out evil spirits, and it's truly bonkers.' 'This is not only nasty and insulting but it's also plain wrong,' says Kay. 'Te Mana o te Wai is simply a framework that says we have to ensure our water is healthy enough to support itself and our people before it can support commercial interests. It doesn't rule out business—it just says that business can't occur at the cost of our communities' health.' Previous consultation on changes to freshwater policy under the Resource Management Act demonstrated most regional councils support Te Mana o te Wai. 'Not only that, groups from Water NZ to Seafood NZ to Forest & Bird to public health advocates support Te Mana o te Wai because it makes priorities clearer for decision makers and provides better protection for the health of waterways and people.' Minister Hoggard and Minister McClay's announcement is consistent with the Coalition Government's approach to handing over more power to extractive commercial interests and removing basic protections for New Zealanders. 'Polluting industries have massively influenced this freshwater policy. The Government is following the requests of groups like DairyNZ who have asked the Government to remove bottom lines and for industry control of instruments like farm plans. This Coalition Government is captured by big industries, we saw it with tobacco and now we're seeing it with agribusiness.' Choose Clean Water says it's important for the public to make submissions on the changes (these can be made until 27 July 2025) but it's just as important for the public to contact MPs and Ministers directly to voice their opposition. 'We have a good existing national policy statement for freshwater. It puts us all on the path to restoration and health over time and still allows for productive land use to support communities. The Coalition Government is making changes New Zealand simply doesn't need and that will take us backwards.'
Otago Daily Times
2 days ago
- Politics
- Otago Daily Times
Councillors split over Te Mana o te Wai
The Otago Regional Council (ORC) has welcomed consultation on national freshwater policies, but some councillors pushed back against Agriculture Minister Todd McClay, who said previous provisions had been weaponised "to push ideology over common sense". Mr McClay and Associate Environment Minister Andrew Hoggard yesterday declared consultation open on the review and replacement of national freshwater policies. A key aspect of the changes proposed is "rebalancing" Te Mana o te Wai provisions, which in the present national policy statement for freshwater management include a "hierarchy of obligations" in which the health of a waterway is prioritised over the value water has for potential use. Mr McClay said proposed changes to the national freshwater direction were a key step toward "restoring balance" in how freshwater was managed across the country and "ensuring the interests of all water users, including farmers, growers, and rural communities" were properly reflected. "Farmers aren't asking for a free pass — they're asking for a fair go. "We won't stand by while councils weaponise Te Mana o te Wai, to push ideology over common sense. "It must reflect the importance of freshwater to all New Zealanders." The ministers' statement noted the government's "decisive intervention" last year when it blocked the Otago Regional Council from pushing ahead with its land and water plan ahead of the reforms now under way. Council chairwoman Cr Gretchen Robertson said having clarity around national freshwater policies was "crucial for Otago" and at present the council was stuck with an outdated plan. "On the suggestion that the council has 'weaponised' Te Mana o te Wai, I firmly reject the claim. "Te Mana o te Wai is embedded in current government regulation — we didn't invent it. "We simply do our job under the law and direction of the government of the day." Cr Tim Mepham said the government's "aversion to the influence of Māori culture within legislation" was evident in Mr McClay's statement. "If Te Mana O Te Wai had been referred to in English as 'the authority of water' and the principles were identified as maintaining healthy waterways and ensuring water was drinkable, then would he refer to it as an ideology?" Cr Elliot Weir said if the ministers truly believed the ORC was pushing ideology over common sense, it did not "bode well for where reforms to environmental policy [would] land." It was the delay in implementing the council's land and water plan that had "brought confusion", Cr Alan Somerville said. It was good to see progress on the reform of the Resource Management Act and freshwater management, Cr Lloyd McCall said. "A simplified targeted approach that avoids red tape, if done well, will enable landowners and the environment to work together for their mutual benefit." Cr Andrew Noone said the council had developed its land and water plan using Te Mana o Te Wai as a fundamental concept. "In a nutshell, the concept requires adherence to a hierarchy of obligations that prioritises the health and wellbeing of freshwater over human or commercial activities such as using or modifying a water body. "It's a very high bar to meet, in my view creating a wetland would be one of the few activities that would be consistent with the number one obligation or priority in [Te Mana o Te Wai]." Cr Michael Laws said the minister's criticism was "valid". "A number of councillors warned the ORC of the unnecessary cost and duplication of planning, but we were not heeded." Cr Gary Kelliher also "completely agreed" with the criticism. "ORC wants two things under the [shelved] draft plan, minimise resource use to the utmost, which of course then totally stymies any improvement to our economy, and secondly, for the minimal resources ORC was prepared to make available, primary sectors needed to reconsent almost continually, under very short consent durations and always at risk of losing the consent. "It's utterly ridiculous and I am very hopeful these new actions from government will result in clear messages to regional councils to back off and become more realistic in resource management." Council chief executive Richard Saunders said council staff welcomed the consultation. "We look forward to working with our councillors to participate in the consultation process as well as considering what the next steps will be in the development of Otago's long overdue land and water plan."
Scoop
2 days ago
- Business
- Scoop
Weak Environmental Standards Threaten Nature And Communities
Press Release – Forest And Bird The Government has announced proposals for new national environmental standards and national policy statements. This is just the latest blow in the Governments dismantling of environmental protections, says Richard Capie, Forest & Birds … New Zealand's environment and communities will face greater pollution, increased biodiversity loss and environmental damage, with a long-term cost to the economy, if today's Government rollbacks come into effect. The Government has announced proposals for new national environmental standards and national policy statements. These proposed changes – which include weakening protections for freshwater, coastal areas, wetlands, and native species – will put nature at increased risk from things such as water pollution under the Resource Management Act. 'This is just the latest blow in the Government's dismantling of environmental protections,' says Richard Capie, Forest & Bird's group manager, Conservation Advocacy and Policy. 'It feels like a century of evidence about how much we rely on the environment and how degraded it is becoming, has just drifted past this Government. 'Without a healthy, well-functioning natural environment, our homes, towns, farms, and infrastructure are at risk in the face of a changing climate. 'The Government seems determined to strip away protections for nature, yet most New Zealanders just want clean, healthy ecosystems and thriving communities. They have consistently said that they want to be able to swim in their local rivers and beaches, have safe drinkable water, and for our wildlife and wild places to flourish. 'Instead, these proposals pave the way for weak environmental standards that will mean more pollution and put more pressure on our already endangered species and vulnerable habitats. 'Our export economy runs on clean water, a liveable climate, low pollution, and a breathtaking natural world. Our EU and UK trading relationships are based on the promise that we will raise environmental standards, not lower them. Weakening environmental standards will harm us and our international reputation.' The proposed changes include: Making it much easier to mine and quarry in areas that contain significant indigenous biodiversity, as well as wetlands, by removing existing requirements that protect nature. Introducing a new national direction for infrastructure and amended direction on electricity generation projects, which is likely to mean a reduction in protections for biodiversity, natural landscapes, and seascapes. Amending the New Zealand Coastal Policy Statement 2010 to make it easier to consent activities in the vulnerable coastal and inshore environment, including in areas with important coastal value (which are already faced with significant pressures). Removing 'Te Mana o te Wai', our overarching freshwater guiding concept which currently prioritises looking after the environment and human needs. This change will result in the weakening of freshwater protections, enabling more pollution in waterways, increased loss of essential wetlands, overallocation issues, and more. Removing the requirement to exclude grazed beef cattle and deer in low intensity farm systems from wetlands; wetlands are essential in supporting biodiversity and a haven for our threatened species. Forest & Bird will be calling for urgent improvements to the national standards and policy statements to ensure nature and communities are better protected. We urge the Government to: Prioritise nature-based solutions for managing natural hazards and infrastructure. Working with nature – rather than against it – allows local and regional government to protect nature, reduce costs, and create more resilient communities. Strengthen freshwater rules by retaining Te Mana o te Wai, seeking swimmable rivers and strengthening bottom lines for pollution and the health of freshwater. Protect biodiversity on private land by supporting and encouraging landowners to look after significant ecological areas and penalising the destruction of important habitats. Protect and restore wetlands so we can increase critical habitat for endangered species and support carbon sinks to mitigate the impacts of climate change. Safeguard our delicate coastal and inshore marine environments so that they are protected from further degradation and biodiversity loss. 'National environmental standards and national policy statements must serve future generations – our children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren,' says Mr Capie. 'They need to be enduring, not focused on short-term interests.'
