12 MAY 2011

NEW ZEALAND GAZETTE, No. 64

1483

Once limits are set, freshwater resources need to be allocated to users, while providing the ability to transfer entitlements between users so that we maximise the value we get from water. Where water resources are over-allocated (in terms of quality and quantity) to the point that national and local values are not met, we also need to ensure that over-allocation is reduced over agreed timeframes.

Given the vital importance of freshwater resources to New Zealand and New Zealanders, and in order to achieve the purpose of the Resource Management Act 1991, the Crown recognises there is a particular need for clear central government policy to set a national direction, though the management of the resource needs to reflect the catchment-level variation between water bodies and different demands on the resource across regions. This includes managing land use and development activities that affect water so that growth is achieved with a lower environmental footprint.

The New Zealand Coastal Policy Statement 2010 addresses issues with water quality in the coastal environment. The management of coastal water and fresh water requires an integrated and consistent approach.

NATIONAL VALUES OF FRESH WATER

Water is valued for the following uses:

• Domestic drinking and washing water
• Animal drinking water
• Community water supply
• Fire fighting
• Electricity generation
• Commercial and industrial processes
• Irrigation
• Recreational activities (including waka ama)
• Food production and harvesting, eg fish farms and mahinga kai
• Transport and access (including tauranga waka)
• Cleaning, dilution and disposal of waste.

There are also values that relate to recognising and respecting fresh water’s intrinsic values for: safeguarding the life-supporting capacity of water and associated ecosystems; and sustaining its potential to meet the reasonably foreseeable needs of future generations. Examples of these values include:

• The interdependency of the elements of the freshwater cycle
• The natural form, character, functioning and natural processes of water bodies and margins, including natural flows, velocities, levels, variability and connections
• The natural conditions of fresh water, free from biological or chemical alterations resulting from human activity, so that it is fit for all aspects of its intrinsic values
• Healthy ecosystem processes functioning naturally
• Healthy ecosystems supporting the diversity of indigenous species in sustainable populations
• Cultural and traditional relationships of Māori with fresh water
• Historic heritage associations with fresh water
• Providing a sense of place for people and communities.

All the values in both lists are important national values of fresh water.

REVIEW

The Minister for the Environment intends to seek an independent review of the implementation and effectiveness of this national policy statement in achieving all its objectives and policies and in achieving the purpose of the Act, no later than five years after it comes into force. The Minister shall then consider the need to review, change or revoke this national policy statement. Collection of monitoring data to inform this review will begin at least two years prior to the review.

This preamble may assist the interpretation of the national policy statement.

TITLE

This national policy statement is the National Policy Statement for Freshwater Management 2011.

COMMENCEMENT

This national policy statement will take effect on 1 July 2011.

INTERPRETATION

In this national policy statement:

Efficient allocation includes economic, technical and dynamic efficiency.

Environmental flows and/or levels are a type of limit which describes the amount of water in a body of fresh water (except ponds and naturally ephemeral water bodies) which is required to meet freshwater objectives. Environmental flows for rivers and streams must include an allocation limit and a minimum flow (or other flow/s). Environmental levels for other bodies of fresh water must include an allocation limit and a minimum water level (or other level/s).

Freshwater objective describes the intended environmental outcome(s).

Limit is the maximum amount of resource use available, which allows a freshwater objective to be met.