Waikato Regional Plan

The Waikato Regional Plan became operative in part on 28 September 2007.

The outstanding parts of the Waikato Regional Plan that did not become operative are those that remain subject to variations that have not fully completed the first schedule RMA process, as listed below.

Variation No. 2 - Geothermal module
Chapter 7 is not included in this Version of the Plan. Staff are working to incorporate the Operative Variation into this version. In the meantime please refer to Variation No. 2 for more information. N.B: Text appearing in green and underlined indicates provisions in other chapters subject to this variation.

Variation No. 5 - Lake Taupo catchment
Please refer to Protecting Lake Taupo.

Variation No. 6 - Water allocation
The text of chapters 3.3 and 3.4 were withdrawn and replaced as a result of this variation. Please refer to water allocation.

Variation No. 7 - Minor variation and geothermal maps
Parts of the plan subject to Variation No. 7 are indicated by footnote. Please refer to Variation No. 7.

Find out more about the amendments.

The plan is available for viewing online through the table of contents below, and can also be downloaded in PDF format.

	Chairman's Foreword
	Readers Guide
		Introduction
		Structure of the Plan
		Abbreviations and Symbols
		Relationship Between Rules and Resource Consents
		Activity Guide
1	Approaches to Resource Management
	1.1	Introduction
		1.1.1	Area Covered by the Plan
	1.2	Approaches to Resource Management
		1.2.1	Background
		1.2.2	Issues
		1.2.3	Objectives
		1.2.4	Policies
		1.2.5	Implementation Methods
		1.2.6	Environmental Results Anticipated
	1.3	Monitoring the Effectiveness of the Plan
	1.4	Review of the Plan
	1.5	Processes to Address Cross-Boundary Issues
	1.6	Responsibilities of Resource Users Under the RMA
2	Matters of Significance to Maori
	2.1	Introduction
		2.1.1	General
		2.1.2	Broad Tribal Groups
	2.2	Iwi in the Waikato Region
		2.2.1	The Iwi of Hauraki
		2.2.2	Raukawa
		2.2.3	Waikato-Tainui
		2.2.4	Ngati Maniapoto
		2.2.5	Ngati Tuwharetoa
		2.2.6	Pouakani
	2.3	Tangata Whenua Relationship with Natural and Physical Resources
		2.3.1	Issue
		2.3.2	Objective
		2.3.3	Policies
		2.3.4	Implementation Methods
		2.3.5	Environmental Results Anticipated
		2.3.6	Monitoring Options
3	Water Module
	3.1	Water Resources
		3.1.1	Issue
		3.1.2	Objective
		3.1.3	Clarification of the Relationship between Water and Geothermal Modules
		3.1.4	Monitoring Options
	3.2	Management of Water Resources
		3.2.1	Issue
		3.2.2	Objective
		3.2.3	Policies
		3.2.4	Implementation Methods - Water Management Classes and Standards
		3.2.5	Environmental Results Anticipated
		3.2.6	Monitoring Options
	3.3	Water Takes
	3.4	Efficient Use of Water
	3.5	Discharges*
		3.5.1	Issue
		3.5.2	Objective
		3.5.3	Policies
		3.5.4	Implementation Methods - Discharges
		3.5.5	Implementation Methods - Farm Effluent Discharges
		3.5.6	Implementation Methods - Discharge of Biosolids* and Sludges or Liquids from Activated Sludge Treatment Processes to Land
		3.5.7	Implementation Methods - On-Site Sewage Discharges
		3.5.8	Implementation Methods - Well and Aquifer Testing Discharges
		3.5.9	Implementation Methods - Tracer Discharges
		3.5.10	Implementation Methods - Drainage Water Discharges
		3.5.11	Implementation Methods - Stormwater Discharges
		3.5.12	High Risk Facilities
		3.5.13	Environmental Results Anticipated
		3.5.14	Monitoring Options
	3.6	Damming and Diverting
		3.6.1	Issue
		3.6.2	Objective
		3.6.3	Policies
		3.6.4	Implementation Methods - Damming and Diverting
		3.6.5	Environmental Results Anticipated
		3.6.6	Monitoring Options
		3.6.7	Spillway Requirements
	3.7	Wetlands*
		3.7.1	Issue
		3.7.2	Objective
		3.7.3	Policies
		3.7.4	Implementation Methods - Wetlands
		3.7.5	Environmental Results Anticipated
		3.7.6	Monitoring Options
		3.7.7	Table of Wetlands in the Waikato Region for Rule 3.7.4.6
		3.7.8	Examples of Wetlands
	3.8	Drilling*
		3.8.1	Issue
		3.8.2	Objective
		3.8.3	Policies
		3.8.4	Implementation Methods - Drilling
		3.8.5	Environmental Results Anticipated
		3.8.6	Monitoring Options
	3.9	Non-Point Source Discharges*
		3.9.1	Issue
		3.9.2	Objective
		3.9.3	Policies
		3.9.4	Implementation Methods - Non-Point Source Discharges
		3.9.5	Environmental Results Anticipated
		3.9.6	Monitoring Options
		3.9.7	Guidance Notes for the Use of Fertiliser
4	River and Lake Bed Module
	4.1	River and Lake Bed* Management
	4.2	River and Lake Bed Structures
		4.2.1	Issue
		4.2.2	Objective ¹
		4.2.3	Policies
		4.2.4	Implementation Methods - Structures In, On, Under or Over the Beds of Lakes and Rivers
		4.2.5	Existing Lawfully Established Structures
		4.2.6	Whitebait Stands
		4.2.7	Maimai, Game Bird Hunting Structures
		4.2.8	Bridges
		4.2.9	Culverts
		4.2.10	Discharge and Intake Structures
		4.2.11	Fords*
		4.2.12	Boat Ramps and Jetties
		4.2.13	Moorings*, Navigational Markers, Safety/Interception Booms, Signs, Ski Lane Markers and Canoe Gates
		4.2.14	Lines, Cables, Pipelines, Ropeways and Associated Structures
		4.2.15	Erosion Control Structures
		4.2.16	Channel Training Structures*
		4.2.17	Monitoring and Sampling Structures
		4.2.18	Maintaining Access for Maintenance of Artificial Watercourses and Beds of Rivers in Drainage Districts and River Control Scheme Areas
		4.2.19	Gradient Control Structures
		4.2.20	Removal or Demolition of a Structure or Part of a Structure
		4.2.21	Suspended Solids Discharge Standards for Permitted Activity Rules in Chapters 4.2 and 4.3
		4.2.22	Environmental Results Anticipated
		4.2.23	Monitoring Options
	4.3	River and Lake Bed Disturbances
		4.3.1	Issues
		4.3.2	Objective 1
		4.3.3	Policies
		4.3.4	Implementation Methods - Disturbances of the Beds of Lakes and Rivers
		4.3.5	Implementation Methods - Livestock Access to Water Bodies
		4.3.6	Implementation Methods - Disturbance of River and Lake Beds Associated with the Maintenance of a Lawfully Established Structure
		4.3.7	Implementation Methods - Sand and Gravel Extraction
		4.3.8	Implementation Methods - Introduction or Planting of Vegetation and Tree Layering on the Beds and Banks of Rivers and Lakes
		4.3.9	Clearance of Vegetation In, On or Under the Beds of Rivers and Lakes
		4.3.10	Environmental Results Anticipated
		4.3.11	Monitoring Options
	4.4	Lake Taupo Mooring Maps
		4.4.1	Zoned Maps Areas
		4.4.2	Prohibited Mooring Maps
		4.4.3	Existing Public Moorings
5	Land and Soil Module
	5.1	Accelerated Erosion*
		5.1.1	Issue
		5.1.2	Objective
		5.1.3	Policies
		5.1.4	Implementation Methods - Accelerated Erosion
		5.1.5	Conditions for Permitted Activity Rule 5.1.4.11 and Standards and Terms for Controlled Activity Rules
		5.1.6	Matters over which Waikato Regional Council will Reserve Control
		5.1.7	Environmental Results Anticipated
		5.1.8	Monitoring Options
	5.2	Discharges Onto or Into Land
		5.2.1	Issue
		5.2.2	Objective
		5.2.3	Policies
		5.2.4	Implementation Methods - Discharges Onto or Into Land
		5.2.5	Implementation Methods - Cleanfilling* and Overburden* Disposal
		5.2.6	Implementation Methods - Dumps* and Offal* Holes on Production Land
		5.2.7	Implementation Methods - Landfills
		5.2.8	Implementation Methods - Composting of Green Waste* and Other Organic Materials
		5.2.9	Implementation Methods - Dust Suppression
		5.2.10	Environmental Results Anticipated
		5.2.11	Monitoring Options
		5.2.12	Good Practice Guide on Location of Dumps and Offal Holes on Production Land
	5.3	Contaminated Land*
		5.3.1	Issue
		5.3.2	Objective
		5.3.3	Policies
		5.3.4	Implementation Methods - Contaminated land
		5.3.5	Environmental Results Anticipated
		5.3.6	Monitoring Options
6	Air Module
	6.1	Regional and Local Air Management
		6.1.1	Issue
		6.1.2	Objective¹
		6.1.3	Policies
		6.1.4	Implementation Methods - Regional and Local Air Management
		6.1.5	Implementation Methods - Domestic Sources
		6.1.6	Implementation Methods - Transport Sources
		6.1.7	Implementation Methods - Effects of Land Use on Air Quality
		6.1.8	Standard Conditions for Permitted Activity Rules and Standards and Terms for Controlled and Restricted Discretionary Activity Rules
		6.1.9	Implementation Methods - General Rules
		6.1.10	Implementation Methods - Discharges of Contaminants from Abrasive Blasting
		6.1.11	Implementation Methods - Coating Processes (including Spray Painting), Diisocyanate and Organic Plasticiser Processes
		6.1.12	Implementation Methods - Combustion Processes for Fuel Conversion to Useful Heat, Electricity or Work
		6.1.13	Implementation Methods - Discharges to Air From Combustion Processes*
		6.1.14	Implementation Methods - Processing, Storage, Transfer and Flaring of Hydrocarbons and Biogas
		6.1.15	Implementation Methods - Managing Discharges to Air from Intensive Indoor Farming
		6.1.16	Implementation Methods - Mineral Extraction, Size Reduction, Screening and Storage
		6.1.17	Implementation Methods - Metal Processing
		6.1.18	Implementation Methods - Waste Management Process
		6.1.19	Implementation Methods - Other Activities
		6.1.20	Implementation Methods - Cooling Processes
		6.1.21	Environmental Results Anticipated
		6.1.22	Monitoring Options
	6.2	The Discharge of Agrichemicals into Air
		6.2.1	Issues
		6.2.2	Objective
		6.2.3	Policy
		6.2.4	Implementation Methods
		6.2.5	Environmental Results Anticipated
		6.2.6	Monitoring Options
		6.2.7	Spray Checklist
		6.2.8	Guidelines for Assessment and Enforcement
		6.2.9	Potential Spray Drift Hazard Chart¹
		6.2.10	Performance requirements for qualifications to apply agrichemicals
	6.3	Regional Ambient Air Quality Guidelines
	6.4	Guidelines for Assessment
		6.4.1	Guidelines for Assessing Odour
		6.4.2	Guidelines for Assessing Particulate Matter ¹
7	Geothermal Module
8	Information Requirements
	8.1	Assessment Criteria and Information Requirements
		8.1.1	General Information Requirements for all Applications
		8.1.2	Water and Geothermal
		8.1.3	Rivers and Lake Beds
		8.1.4	Land and Soil
		8.1.5	Air
		8.1.6	Geothermal
		8.1.7	Further Information
	Glossary of Terms

Download the plan in PDF format

Section			Download in PDF format

Chairman's Foreword			Chairman's Foreword and readers guide (1207 kb, 172 seconds to download, 56k modem)
Readers guide
	Introduction
	Structure of the plan
	Abbreviations and symbols
	Relationships between rules and resource consents
	Activity guide

1	Approaches to resource management		Chapter 1: Approaches to resource management (145 kb, 20 seconds to download, 56k modem)
	1.1	Introduction
	1.2	Approaches to resource management
	1.3	Monitoring the effectiveness of the plan
	1.4	Review of the plan
	1.5	Processes to address cross-boundary issues
	1.6	Responsibilities of resource users under the RMA

2	Matters of significance to Maori		Chapter 2: Matters of significance to Maori (162 kb, 23 seconds to download, 56k modem)
	2.1	Introduction
	2.2	Iwi in the Waikato region
	2.3	Tangata Whenua relationship with natural and physical resources

3	Water module		Chapter 3: Water module (1915 kb, 273 seconds to download, 56k modem)
	3.1	Water resources
	3.2	Water management classes
	3.3	Water takes
	3.4	Efficient use of water
	3.5	Discharges
	3.6	Damming and diverting
	3.7	Wetlands
	3.8	Drilling
	3.9	Non-point source discharges

4	River and lake bed module		Chapter 4: River and lake bed module (1581 kb, 225 seconds to download, 56k modem)
	4.1	River and lake bed management
	4.2	River and lake bed structures
	4.3	River and lake bed disturbances
	4.4	Lake Taupo mooring maps

5	Land and soil module		Chapter 5: Land and soil module (607 kb, 86 seconds to download, 56k modem)
	5.1	Accelerated erosion
	5.2	Discharges onto or into land
	5.3	Contaminated land

6	Air module		Chapter 6: Air module (597 kb, 85 seconds to download, 56k modem)
	6.1	Regional and local air management
	6.2	The discharge of agrichemicals into air
	6.3	Regional ambient air guidelines
	6.4	Guidelines for assessment

7	Geothermal module
		This section is not included in this version of the plan as it is the subject of Proposed Waikato Regional Plan: Proposed Variation No. 2 (Operative).	You can download a copy of the variation below: Variation No.2 – Geothermal Module - with no maps (see pdfs below for the geothermal maps) (272 kb, 38 seconds to download, 56k modem) Variation No.2 - Geothermal Module - maps of geothermal systems (1219 kb, 174 seconds to download, 56k modem) Variation No. 2 Geothermal Module - maps of significant geothermal features and geothermal water features (2588 kb, 369 seconds to download, 56k modem)

8	Information requirements		Chapter 8: Information requirements (102 kb, 14 seconds to download, 56k modem)
	8.1	Assessment criteria and information requirements

Glossary			Glossary (182 kb, 26 seconds to download, 56k modem)

Maps			Maps are provided on CD ROM with printed copies of this plan. Maps are also available to view at a scale of 1:50,000 at the Hamilton office of Environment Waikato (401 Grey Street, Hamilton East). Copies of maps, at any scale, can be purchased on request.

Waikato Regional Plan

Table of contents

Download the plan in PDF format