The Essential Freshwater Policy Programme (EFPP) is Council’s work programme to implement the requirements of the National Policy Statement for Freshwater Management 2020 (NPSFM), and there is a requirement under the Resource Management Act 1991 (RMA) to review provisions in regional policy statements (RPS) and regional plans every 10 years.
The RMA has specific Freshwater Planning Process provisions, and section 80A(4) requires Council to notify RPS and RNRP changes that fully implement the NPSFM by 31 December 2025.
Since 2020, Regional Council has been researching and engaging with hundreds of people about changes to how land and freshwater are managed to address freshwater issues in our region. During that time, the timeline for the work has been amended to reflect decisions made by our Councillors and follow directions given by central government.
The most recent decision was In December 2024, when Councillors decided not to release a draft RPS and RNRP for freshwater until after the NPS for Freshwater Management is gazetted. Instead of releasing drafts in November 2024, Council endorsed four key topics for testing informally with stakeholders and tangata whenua. These topics are:
Over the coming weeks, discussions on the above topics will take place with targeted stakeholders and tangata whenua who would like to be involved at this stage.
Early 2025 – staff converse with targeted stakeholders about the topics they want to discuss in detail and the best way to progress those conversations
February to April 2025 – staff present and discuss relevant topics to stakeholders and continue discussions with those tangata whenua who would like to be involved
May to July 2025 – staff assess and address relevant feedback for inclusion in the draft plan
