This guidance updates A guide to setting instream nutrient concentrations: Under clause 3.13 of the National Policy Statement for Freshwater Management 2020, which was released in December 2021.
This guidance updates A guide to setting instream nutrient concentrations: Under clause 3.13 of the National Policy Statement for Freshwater Management 2020, which was released in December 2021.
This document provides guidance on implementing clause 3.13 of the National Policy Statement for Freshwater Management 2020 (NPS-FM), which was updated in February 2023 to acknowledge stakeholder feedback. It provides an update to the previous December 2021 version of the document and aims to clarify key changes to policy intent.
The technical guidance will assist regional councils with the process of setting instream concentrations and exceedance criteria, or instream loads, for nitrogen and phosphorus. The concentrations are required to achieve specific environmental outcomes in accordance with clause 3.13 of the NPS-FM. Clause 3.13 is consistent with a ki uta ki tai (from the mountains to sea) integrated resource management approach to ensure water is managed in catchments, water bodies and receiving environments.
This technical guidance should be used in conjunction with Essential Freshwater policies and regulations guidance content on the Ministry's website.