Horticulture

Horticulture is one of the largest industries in New Zealand, bringing in billions of dollar annually and providing thousands of jobs nationwide. Some horticulture activities can have significant consequences on our surrounding environment.

It's important we sustainably manage both our land and water resources so we can continue to produce quality fruits, vegetables and flowers.

Water management

Taking and using water

We monitor and manage how much water can be taken from surface water and groundwater to ensure it is used sustainably. There are rules for how much you are allowed to take without a consent.

Dry weather water management

If you use water, it’s important to know your responsibilities during a dry weather event.

Do I need a resource consent?

Activities that don’t need a resource consent are classified as permitted activities in one of our regional plans or a national environmental standard.

Pollution and land management

Earthworks If you’re planning to carry out earthworks it’s important you understand the rules and protection...

Spray drift If spraydrift does occur and you are concerned about possible effects on health, animals or plant...

Contaminated land Across the region, thousands of sites have been identified as having the potential to be contamin...

Outdoor burning It’s essential that anyone wanting to light an outdoor fire follows the fire safety and air pollu...

Biodiversity The Bay of Plenty still has about 66 percent of its original indigenous forest and scrub cover, b...

Synthetic nitrogen fertiliser cap The use of synthetic nitrogen fertilisers on land is linked to lowered water quality in some of o...

Erosion control Many properties in the region are steep and hilly. While our soils are versatile and provide a go...

Pollution hotline Call the 24/7 Pollution Hotline on 0800 884 883 and tell our Response Team about any damage to th...