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Freshwater National Direction in New Zealand
Freshwater is fundamental to life, culture, business and recreation in Aotearoa New Zealand. It flows through our cities, farms, forests and iwi histories. It supports ecosystems, our clean-green brand and the primary industries that drive much of our export economy. But the way freshwater is managed has been debated and renewed repeatedly in recent years, reflecting both evolving science and strong public expectations.
In 2025, the New Zealand Government undertook an extensive consultation on updating the national direction for freshwater management. This consultation invited feedback on proposed changes to the National Policy Statement for Freshwater Management 2020 and related standards, with a focus on making the system more practical, efficient and regionally adaptable. The consultation closed in July 2025, and the recommendations have helped shape the updated national policy direction now coming into force in 2026.
Why national direction matters
National direction under the Resource Management Act (RMA) sets out the rules and policies that regional and local councils must give effect to when they develop regional plans and make resource consent decisions. Freshwater national direction guides how rivers, lakes, aquifers and wetlands are protected, how water is allocated and used, and how environmental, cultural, social and economic interests are balanced.
The current policy framework for freshwater stems from the National Policy Statement for Freshwater Management 2020 (NPS-FM), which established clear objectives and bottom lines to safeguard freshwater quality and ecosystem health, and which emphasised the concept of Te Mana o te Wai — the priority of water health, then people’s essential needs, then other uses.
What the 2025 consultation was about
The 2025 consultation opened a broader conversation about how national direction for freshwater could evolve. The Government proposed amending the existing NPS-FM and freshwater standards to:
- Give councils greater flexibility in how they balance environmental goals with economic and community outcomes.
- Introduce more regionally adaptable tools, recognising that catchment conditions vary widely across the country.
- Reduce complexity and administrative burden where possible, including simplifying some consent pathways and wetlands provisions.
- Explore new approaches to water security and storage, supporting resilience in the face of climate change.
- Improve protection of drinking water sources and reporting requirements.
- Reconsider how Te Mana o te Wai is applied in planning and consent decisions so that it functions consistently across regions.
- Enable activities such as commercial vegetable growing without unnecessary consent barriers, where environmental outcomes can still be achieved.
These proposals were part of a wider resource management reform programme tied to replacement legislation for the RMA, and the consultation specifically asked whether changes should occur now under the existing Act or be integrated into future planning law.
What people told the government
The feedback from the 2025 consultation revealed a mix of views from across New Zealand’s communities, councils, environmental organisations and primary industries:
1. Desire for practical, balanced policy
Many submissions emphasised the need for freshwater policy that is both effective and workable. Farmers, growers and rural stakeholders sought more clarity and flexibility so they can provide for economic wellbeing while contributing to freshwater outcomes. Some industry submissions called for direction that enables productive use of water where it benefits communities and food security.
2. Concern about ongoing change and uncertainty
A common theme was frustration with frequent policy updates. Councils and local government representatives noted that successive changes over many years have created uncertainty and added cost to planning and implementation. They argued for a more enduring framework that gives communities and businesses confidence to invest and plan ahead.
3. Strong voices on environmental protection
Environmental and iwi-led submissions affirmed the importance of safeguarding water quality and ecosystems. Some voiced concern that revising the hierarchy of obligations under Te Mana o te Wai could weaken protections if the objective of prioritising water health is not clearly retained. Others pressed for continued strong bottom lines to prevent loss of wetlands and degradation of water bodies.
4. Support for clear timelines and implementation tools
Many respondents asked for clearer guidance on timeframes for achieving freshwater outcomes, with a mix of long-term, medium-term and short-term targets. There was also interest in improved data collection, monitoring and reporting so that policy decisions are grounded in robust evidence.
A new policy direction with nuance
The refreshed national policy direction, now consolidated and updated as of 15 January 2026, aims to reflect this breadth of feedback. It continues to provide a national framework for freshwater management while seeking to ease unnecessary complexity and recognise regional differences. The updated framework retains core goals around improving degraded water bodies and maintaining others, protecting significant freshwater values, and supporting communities’ wellbeing in a way that aligns with freshwater health outcomes.
Under the new direction, councils will continue to set objectives and limits through planning processes, but with greater emphasis on flexibility where appropriate and clearer pathways for balancing environmental, cultural, social and economic priorities. There is also stronger recognition of the need to involve tangata whenua and local communities in shaping visions for water futures that reflect local contexts.
What this means for communities and businesses
For regional councils, the updated national direction provides a chance to integrate freshwater priorities into broader land and water planning in a way that respects local circumstances. For businesses and sectors that depend on water, such as horticulture, agriculture and food processing, there is an opportunity to work with regional planners to shape outcomes that are both environmentally sound and economically sustainable.
For communities and tangata whenua, the process underscores the importance of ongoing engagement. Freshwater management is not only about rules; it requires active participation, monitoring and shared stewardship.
Looking ahead
Freshwater policy reform in New Zealand continues to evolve as part of broader resource management system change. The 2025 consultation and the 2026 updates to national direction mark significant milestones, but they are not the final word. Implementation will unfold over coming years as councils update their plans, as new legislation comes into force, and as freshwater outcomes are monitored and reported.
The challenge remains to protect and restore freshwater quality while enabling people and communities to thrive. That balance will depend on clear policy, robust science, meaningful engagement and a long-term commitment to healthy water for future generations.
