Stock exclusion
Stock activity can damage the bed and banks of our waterways. Dung, urine and sediment can also seriously impact water quality, the lives of animals living there and mahinga kai values.
Stock exclusion regulations
New national stock exclusion regulations were introduced through the RMA in 2020 as part of the government's Essential Freshwater reforms. These stock exclusion rules apply to beef cattle, dairy cows, dairy support cows, pigs and deer, and are slightly different for each animal (the regulations do not apply to sheep).
Regulations were amended in October 2024 and the requirements for beef cattle and deer to be excluded from low-slope areas removed. In April 2026, the regulations were further amended to exempt extensively held beef cattle and deer from the requirements to be excluded from wetlands with threatened species.
Read the Resource Management (Stock Exclusion) Regulations 2020
Fences will need to be built with a 3m minimum setback from the edge of the waterway, unless already fenced permanently at 3 September 2020 (those fences are not required to be shifted).
Stock exclusion dates
The dates by which each stock type must be excluded from waterways and wetlands are detailed below:
Stock class | On | By | |
Waterways (lakes and 'wide' rivers): Stock must be excluded and kept at least 3 metres from the edge of the bed of a lake or a river with a bed greater than 1m wide at any point on the parcel of land - includes intermittent streams but excludes drains. NB: Buffer width doesn't apply to a lake or river with a permanent fence already in place. Stock (except deer) must use a bridge or culvert if they cross the waterway more than twice a month. | Dairy cattle | Any NEWLY developed farm | 3 Sept 2020 |
Dairy cattle (and pigs) | Any terrain | 1 July 2023 | |
Dairy support cattle | Any terrain | 1 July 2025 | |
Beef cattle and deer intensively grazing (break-fed, fed on annual forage corps or irrigated pasture) | Any terrain | 1 July 2023 | |
Wetlands: All stock must be excluded from natural wetlands. | All cattle, deer and pigs | Any natural wetland on a newly developed farm | 3 Sept 2020 |
Any natural wetland identified in the regional or district plan as of 3 September 2020 | 1 July 2023 | ||
Dairy cattle, support cattle, pigs and intensively grazed beef cattle and deer | Any natural wetland with a population of threatened species | 1 July 2025 |
Stock crossings
Stock can cross lakes and rivers if they are supervised and actively driven across the waterbody. Stock cannot cross the same lake or river more than twice in any month.
Where stock will be crossing a river or lake more than twice in any month, a dedicated bridge or culvert must be installed.
Fencing types and existing fences
You do not have to put in new fences to exclude stock from a lake or wide river if, at 3 September 2020, you have a permanent fence. A permanent fence is defined as a post and batten fence with driven or dug fence posts, an electric fence with at least two electrified wires and driven or dug fence posts, or a deer fence.
Who must comply?
The regulations apply to any person that owns or controls deer, pigs, dairy-support cattle, dairy cattle and beef cattle. Sheep are not subject to the requirements.
Bay of Plenty’s Regional Natural Resources Plan stock exclusion rules
Generally, these national stock exclusion regulations will prevail over any existing Bay of Plenty Regional Natural Resources Plan stock exclusion rules, and in any case, the more stringent applies.
If you have a situation where stock access a waterbody on your property, then in addition to the Stock Exclusion Regulations above, please also familiarise yourself with the Natural Resources Plan (NRP) rules and conditions.
Please note: Rule BW R39 (Rule 8) of the NRP Prohibits stock access to any bed of the Rotorua Lakes or any stream, or river classified as Natural State (River) in the Bay of Plenty. The definition of a Natural State River is:
| Water Quality Classification | Criteria | Explanation |
(a) | Natural State (River) | Rivers and streams that are under indigenous forest cover, and in upper catchment areas, and in public tenure (i.e. owned or managed by the Department of Conservation or city and district councils). | Natural State (River) does not apply in areas under indigenous forest cover, but where there is a different land use upstream of the indigenous forest. |
Other definitions
Wide River: A river (as defined in the RMA) with a bed that is wider than 1 metre anywhere in a land parcel.
River: A continually or intermittently flowing body of fresh water; and includes a stream and modified watercourse; but does not include any artificial watercourse (including an irrigation canal, water supply race, canal for the supply of water for electricity power generation, and farm drainage canal).
Natural wetland: A wetland that is NOT the following:
1. A wetland constructed by artificial means (unless it was constructed to offset impacts on, or restore, and existing or former natural wetland); or
2. A geothermal wetland; or
3. Any area of improved pasture that, at 3 September 2020, has more than 50 percent of exotic pasture species and is subject to temporary rain-derived water ponding.
Lake: A body of fresh water which is entirely or nearly entirely surrounded by land.
Questions?
If you have any questions about the new Essential Freshwater regulations for stock exclusion, please contact us.