Recent and upcoming Essential Freshwater implementation guidance
This list will be updated as guidance documents are completed or if an estimated delivery date changes.
- Regional councils
- Iwi and hapū
- Land and environmental managers
- Those who farm
- Primary sector organisations
- Community and environmental groups,
- Anyone else with an interest in Te Mana o Te Wai (the life-supporting capacity of freshwater).
Guidance on the National Objectives Framework of the NPS-FM
Guidance on the National Objectives Framework of the NPS-FM
Description
This guidance will help councils and others working to implement the National Objectives Framework (NOF) and the National Policy Statement for Freshwater Management 2020 (NPS-FM).
Delivered
July 2022
National Objectives Framework
A proposed framework for managing river flows to support implementation of the NPS-FM
Description:
This report is to help regional councils understand and effectively implement the objectives and policies in the National Policy Statement for Freshwater Management 2020 (NPS-FM) that pertain to management of river flows to support ecosystem health.
Delivered
August 2022
National Policy Statement for Indigenous Biodiversity
Description
A high-level infographic on the NPSIB, why we need it and what the NPSIB aims to provide. Product will be posted on our webpage along with the NPSIB and other related documents when the policy is released.
Information sheets:
- General summary
- Iwi Māori summary
- Farming
- Forestry
- Urban development
- Infrastructure
Expected delivery
April 2023
Expected delivery
April/May 2023
Revised version of the National Objectives Framework for the NPS-FM 2020
Description
He Ārahitanga mō Te Anga Whāinga ā-Motu o te NPS-FM
Guidance on the National Objectives Framework of the NPS-FM
Expected Delivery
March 2023
Highly Productive Land
Guidance on mapping, and changes to regional policy statements and district plans.
Expected delivery
March 2023
Fish Passage
Description
The Fish Passage Assessment Tool (FPAT) instruction sheet and training video on how to meet the data collection requirements (as per the National Environmental Standards for Freshwater 2020).
New policy intent updates to the NZ Fish Passage guidelines
Related information
Fish Passage App Tool upgrade for Councils
Policy intent updates to the NZ Fish Passage Guidelines
NZ fish passage guidelines mātauranga update
Delivered
July 2020
Expected delivery
Mid 2023
Expected delivery
Late 2023
Expected delivery
Late 2024
Fish index of biotic integrity
Description
Web app tool and user guidance to calculate Fish Index of Biotic Integrity (IBI) scores for the NPS-FM Fish IBI attribute (Appendix 2B, Table 13).
Expected delivery
Late March 2023
Wetlands
Description
- A standard methodology for assessing exclusion ‘c’ of the natural wetland definition (assessing 50% exotic pasture species coverage).
- A finalised national list of exotic pasture species, for the purposes of assessing the ‘pasture exclusion’ from the definition of ‘natural inland wetland’. (See draft of this list which is published as part of the exposure draft of the ‘Managing our Wetlands’ consultation open for feedback until 10 July)
Definitions Guidance
This is a document to replace Defining-natural-wetlands-and-natural-inland-wetlands.pdf (environment.govt.nz)
Wetland drainage separation distance calculator
Delivered
December 2022
Expected delivery
March 2023
Expected delivery
May 2023
Sediment
Description
Guidance to help regional councils achieve sediment targets for rivers as specified in the National Policy Statement for Freshwater 2020.
Related information
Delivered
October 2022
Nutrients
Description
Update of the existing A guide to setting instream nutrient concentrations.
Expected Delivery
May 2023
Drinking water
Description
- Three updated factsheets
- A mapping guidance doc to be incorporated by reference
- Updated NES-DW User guide (replacement)
Best practice guidelines for activities within protection zones
Expected Delivery:
May 2023
Expected delivery
Late 2023
Intensive winter grazing
Description
Intensive Winter Grazing Module Version 2
An updated version of the 2021/2022 IWG module to reflect amendments to the NES-F and incorporate feedback received on the current module.
Intensive Winter Grazing Technical Guidance
Technical guidance to assist in implementing the new standards for pugging and ground cover and the identification and management of critical source areas on farm.
Related information
Delivered
November 2022
Expected delivery
Late March 2023