Waikato - Plan Change 1

What is PC1?

PC1 is the Waikato Regional Council plan change for farming and land use in the Waikato and Waipā River catchments. It aims to reduce nitrogen, phosphorus, sediment and E. coli losses from land and support the first 10 years of the 80-year journey to restore and protect the Waikato and Waipā rivers under Te Ture Whaimana o Te Awa o Waikato, the Vision and Strategy for the Waikato River.

What has changed

The Government has signalled amendments through the Natural Environment Bill and Planning Bill that would defer key PC1 “relevant dates” until 31 December 2032.

In practical terms, farmers would not need to prepare, certify, lodge, implement or otherwise comply with a PC1 Farm Environment Plan, or apply for a PC1 farming resource consent, before the end of 2032.

• The requirement to lodge a resource consent is deferred until 2032.
• The requirement to prepare, certify and implement a farm plan under PC1 is also deferred until 2032.

What has not changed

PC1 has not been cancelled. Farmers still need to operate under the PC1 rules that are already live today.

• Existing farming operates under a permitted activity rule with conditions related to nitrogen fertiliser, cultivation, intensive winter grazing and sacrifice paddocks.
• Rules around land-use change remain important, capturing land use change greater than 4.1 hectares. These controls have been in place since 2016.

Te Ture Whaimana also continues to hold a significant role in the Waikato and Waipā catchments. When developing the first natural environment plan under the new resource management system the council must have “particular regard to PC1”.

What happens next

Once the legislation is settled and the final stages of the environment court process are complete, Waikato Regional Council will publish an updated version of PC1 showing the effect of the Government’s amendments. DairyNZ will continue working with council, government and sector partners so farmers get clear, practical guidance on what applies now, what has been deferred, and how existing farm planning and good practice work may be recognised under the new system.

DairyNZ's position

DairyNZ supports practical, affordable and workable freshwater rules that deliver environmental progress without unnecessary duplication or cost. The Government’s direction is a useful step toward avoiding farmers being forced through one process only to repeat it under the new resource management system. However, the detail still matters.

What is key is that waterway restoration and good farming practices will continue to be key levers farmers can pull to reduce any future regulation. DairyNZ recommends taking now as an opportunity to get ahead of future PC1 requirements.