Freshwater co-governance and advisory groups
Our freshwater policy work is guided by technical expertise, tangata whenua and community voices. We work alongside others to manage our water resources for future generations, listening to our communities and reflecting their values and priorities in our regional policies and rules.
Co-governance partners
Iwi and hapū are actively involved in freshwater decision-making and management through co-governance groups, which are partnerships between iwi and local government. We work closely with our co-governance partners to ensure river documents and strategies are recognised and provided for in regional planning documents as required by settlement legislation.
Freshwater community groups
As part of implementing early versions of the NPSFM, we set up three community groups for the Rangitāiki, Kaituna/Maketu and Pongakawa/Waitahanui catchments to help guide important decisions about water in these areas.
Rangitāiki Freshwater Community Group Kaituna Maketu Freshwater Community Group Pongakawa Waitahanui Freshwater Community Group
Freshwater advisory groups
Rural and Environmental Sector Organisation Forum (RESOF)
Freshwater rules directly affect how farmers and landowners use land and water, from irrigation, frost protection, dairy shed wash down and cooling, and stock watering to on-farm infrastructure and future investment. That’s why it’s important the rural sector has a strong voice in shaping these rules.
In line with this, we established a Forum of policy representatives from national organisations to provide early, without-prejudice advice to our Freshwater Policy Programme. This advice will support the development of updated regional freshwater plan changes once the new Resource Management and freshwater national direction are in place.
The Forum will also support communication with member organisations during public engagement.
Territorial Local Authorities (TLA) Freshwater Collaboration Group
Bay of Plenty regional, district and city council staff that deliver water supply, wastewater, storm water, consenting, policy and other water-related community services meet regularly to share information and respond to water management issues and opportunities of mutual interest.
They provide advice and recommendations to us on our freshwater policy work.
Water Technical Advisory Group
The Water Quality Technical Advisory Group (WQTAG) provides technical advice on lake science and management to the Rotorua Te Arawa Lakes Programme partners to help reach the water quality targets for each lake.
The purpose of the Group is to operate as an informal forum of experts on lake water quality problems, causes and solutions. Read more: Resources / Select category