Bay of Plenty Regional Council purchases land to support Lake Rotorua water quality goals

Bay of Plenty Regional Council has purchased a 266ha dairy farm in the Lake Rotorua catchment, as part of a broader strategy to improve water quality and reduce nitrogen entering the lake.  

The property, which includes 60 hectares of native bush, sits within the Waiteti Stream sub-catchment, an area of cultural significance and recreational value that has experienced declining water quality in recent years.  

Regional Council Chief Executive Fiona McTavish says this is a long-term investment in the health of Lake Rotorua and the wellbeing of our communities.  

“We’re proud to be taking action that will deliver enduring benefits for generations to come.”  

The land purchase is a step forward in the Regional Council’s long-term goal of achieving a sustainable nitrogen load of 435 tonnes per year into Lake Rotorua by 2032. This goal was adopted in 2015 through the Rotorua Te Arawa Lakes Programme, a collaborative initiative between the Regional Council, Te Arawa Lakes Trust and Rotorua Lakes Council.  

The purchase was made under the newly adopted Lake Rotorua Catchment Land Acquisition Strategy, which enables the Regional Council to acquire or invest in land to support nitrogen reduction targets. The strategy builds on the existing Lake Rotorua Incentives Scheme, which has already delivered significant nitrogen reductions through voluntary land use changes.  

Ms McTavish says the acquisition reflects a shift in approach to meet the region’s water quality goals.  

“We’ve made strong progress through incentives, regulation and engineering solutions, but we know that reaching our nitrogen targets will require every tool available.  

“This land purchase is a strategic investment that allows us to directly reduce nitrogen entering Lake Rotorua while supporting broader environmental and community outcomes.”  

The property currently contributes more than six tonnes of nitrogen annually to Lake Rotorua. By retiring the land from dairy farming and restoring parts of the property to native vegetation, the Regional Council expects to reduce nitrogen loss by approximately five tonnes per year.  

The land use change will also ease pressure on the wider catchment, making it more viable for other farmers to continue operating within their nitrogen allocations.  

“This is also about supporting a sustainable rural community,” says Ms McTavish.    

“By reducing nitrogen loss from this property, we’re helping other farmers stay within their limits without further regulation. It’s a practical way to make progress toward our water quality goals while recognising the realities of farming in the catchment.”  

While the land has been purchased, no decisions have been made about its future use. The Regional Council will consider options in early 2026, in line with central government regulations and guidelines.  

“Any future land use will need to deliver environmental benefits, be financially sustainable, and align with community values. The primary goal remains improving water quality in Lake Rotorua,” says Ms McTavish.    

The total purchase price for the property is $7.6 million plus GST. Funding for the acquisition comes from several sources, including $2 million from the Lake Rotorua Incentives Scheme, jointly funded by the Ministry for the Environment and Bay of Plenty Regional Council, $1.35 million from the Regional Council’s existing capital works budget for the Rotorua Catchment and $4.2 million to be financed through new debt, with interest funded by general rates.