WRC Freshwater Policy Review - Input sought at 1 Day Water Workshop held in Taupo on 27th May

WRC Website information: ‘How we manage our environment so our freshwater bodies are healthy is the focus of our Freshwater Policy Review. This policy review is just one of the requirements under central government’s Essential Freshwater package, which is about stopping further degradation of New Zealand’s fresh water and improving its quality and ecosystem health.

Over the next two years, we’ll be making changes to our Waikato Regional Policy Statement (RPS) and Waikato Regional Plan to bring them into line with this direction. To do this, we’ll be seeking input from tangata whenua, farmers, industry, rural professionals and the general public to identify and understand their issues, values and aspirations for fresh water, and to determine how we’ll measure our progress.

The views and feedback shared with us will help to inform changes to the RPS and the development of a new regional plan, which we anticipate will be notified for public submission in 2024 and operative by 2026.

It’s a massive task and the timeframe to do it is tight but by working together we will ensure our waterways can be used and enjoyed for generations to come, making our Waikato even better.’

For Taupō communities, the workshop was an opportunity to inform them about Te Kaupapa Kaitiaki - a management plan for the Taupō Catchment that seeks to protect, restore and enhance its environmental, cultural and spiritual health for current and future generations.

Input is being sought on the Freshwater Policy Review including about:

·       What you value related to fresh water in your local area, including special sites and features, and freshwater activities you enjoy

·       Challenges, issues and the current state of waterways around Taupō

·       What you’d like to see for your local freshwater bodies

·       Actions underway, current rules, and what else you think can be done for local water bodies