Te wai, he taonga | Wai, it matters.

The draft Freshwater Plan Change is a blueprint for improving the health of freshwater – rivers, streams, lakes, wetlands and aquifers – in Te Taitokerau Northland.

Big changes are needed to significantly improve freshwater and meet Government policy requirements. There will be many different views – from those that think we’re not going far enough to those that don’t think much change is needed.

Here’s a quick overview of some of the key draft changes we’re considering:

Read more about the changes we are considering

• Overview of key draft rule changes
• Consultation document: The Draft Freshwater Plan Change: Have Your Say (PDF 11.4MB)
• Consultation document: Stock exclusion (PDF 1.4MB)
• Consultation document: Targeted Water Allocation Policy (PDF 1.4MB)
• Read the full Draft Freshwater Plan Change (PDF 12.3MB)
• Read the draft Action Plan (PDF 1.6MB)
• Want more detail? See the technical documents and reports

Our pātai (questions)

The decisions we make now will determine the state of freshwater for future generations and the resilience of our communities to the impacts of climate change. The more feedback we get, the better informed our decisions will be.

The two big pātai (questions) we have are:

• What do you think of our draft Freshwater Plan Change and draft Action Plan? There’s a lot to consider and we welcome feedback on any of it.
• What timeframes are feasible to improve freshwater?  The longer the timeframe, the more time for people to make the changes needed – but the longer it will take for the health of freshwater to improve.

Whether you prefer online, print, or kanohi-ki-te-kanohi, there are several ways to tell us what you think of the draft Freshwater Plan Change.

You can share your views in te reo, English or New Zealand sign language (let us know if you might need an interpreter).

If you need assistance with providing feedback, just let us know – our friendly staff will be happy to help.

Feedback closes 4 March 2024.

Submit your feedback online

You can give us your feedback by filling in our online feedback form. You are welcome to fill in as much, or as little, of the form as you like.

You can also email us your feedback to [email protected] Please feel free to download and attach our feedback form to your email or to use any other format that suits you. 

Provide feedback in print or in person

You can download our print-friendly feedback form and post it to us at:

Northland Regional Council
Private Bag 9021
Te Mai, Whangārei 0143

Alternatively, you can pick up or drop off your feedback form, or speak to someone in person, at one of our offices in Whangārei, Dargaville, Kaitaia or Waipapa. For office location details, visit our Contact details page.

• PDF Version - draft Freshwater Plan Feedback form (PDF 181KB) 
• MS Word version - draft Freshwater Plan feedback form (DOCX 59KB)

Join a drop-in session or online hui

We are holding a series of drop-in sessions and online hui to kōrero about the draft Freshwater Plan and answer your questions.

Rural/general interest online hui

Although anyone is welcome to attend, these online hui will focus on aspects of the draft Freshwater Plan Change that are likely to be of interest to landowners, farmers, and the general public.

• 22 November 2023
  • View the recording of the hui
  • Read the answers to participant questions
• 30 November 2023
• 8 February 2024

Register for the rural/general interest online hui

Tāngata whenua online hui

Although anyone is welcome to attend, these online hui will focus on aspects of the draft Freshwater Plan Change that are likely to be of interest to tāngata whenua.

• 29 November 2023
  • View the recording of the hui
• 1 February 2024

Register for the tāngata whenua online hui

Drop-in sessions

Mangakahia Sports Complex
cnr Kerehunga and Mangakahia Roads, Whangārei

Drop-in anytime between 10am to 12:30pm
7 December 2023

Keep an eye on this page for more drop-in sessions coming.

Talk to us at summer community events

You’ll see our team out and about at community events throughout the summer. Come and talk to us at:

Bay of Islands Pastoral & Industrial Show

205 Showgrounds Road, Waimate North
11 November 2023

Whangārei A&P Summer Show

Barge Showgrounds, Whangārei
2 December 2023

Kaikohe A&P Show

Kaikohe A&P Showgrounds, Corner State Highway 12 & Ngawha Springs Road, Kaikohe
20 January 2024

Paparoa A&P Show

Paparoa A&P Showgrounds, 2062 Paparoa Valley Road, Paparoa
3 February 2024

Waitangi Day

Waitangi Treaty Grounds, Bay of Islands
6 February 2024

North Hokianga (Broadwood) A&P Show

1062 Broadwood Road, Broadwood
17 February 2024

Kaitaia A&P Show

30B State Highway 1, Kaitaia
23 February 2024

Northland Field Days

33 Awakino Point East Road, Dargaville
29 February – 2 March 2024