Freshwater Implementation Group

The Freshwater Implementation Group oversees the implementation of new national direction for freshwater that came into effect on 3 September 2020. 

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The group’s role

Oversee and sponsor the development of recommendations for implementation and monitoring of the new national direction. Recommendations will be made to the Government or the regional sector as appropriate.

Oversee and sponsor the joint design, support and refinement of work programmes that seek to implement the new national direction.

Oversee the development and provision of joint advice on options for strengthening central oversight of the freshwater management system.

Ensure the overall objectives of the new national direction are being achieved. Key to this is ensuring that Te Mana o te Wai is appropriately implemented, in particular for plan-making.

Ensure all instruments to achieve the new national direction, both regulatory and non-regulatory, are implemented within the timeframes set by the Government.

Report to the Government regularly on progress towards delivery of the implementation programme.

The Freshwater Implementation Group’s purpose is to work together to deliver expeditiously an implementation programme that meets the requirements set out in this new freshwater national direction. The implementation programme must achieve national consistency, and deliver on the overall objectives of the new national direction.

Terms of reference [PDF, 224 KB]

Group members

The members of the Freshwater Implementation Group are:

  • David MacLeod (Co-Chair) - Taranaki Regional Council Chair
  • Vicky Robertson (Co-Chair) – Ministry for the Environment Chief Executive
  • Mahina-a-rangi Baker – Te Kāhui Wai Māori member
  • Mike Chapman – Horticulture NZ Chief Executive
  • Doug Leeder – Bay of Plenty Regional Council Chair
  • Tim Mackle – Dairy NZ Chief Executive
  • Sam McIvor – Beef and Lamb NZ Chief Executive
  • James Palmer – Hawkes Bay Regional Council Chief Executive
  • Marnie Prickett – Choose Clean Water
  • Stefanie Rixecker – Environment Canterbury Chief Executive
  • Hon. Dover Samuels – Te Kāhui Wai Māori member
  • Kingi Smiler – Te Kāhui Wai Māori Chair
  • Ray Smith – Ministry for Primary Industries Chief Executive
  • Annette Sykes – Te Kāhui Wai Māori member
  • Gary Taylor – Environmental Defence Society Executive Director
  • Ray Grubb – NZ Fish and Game council

The Ministry for the Environment will also draw on the expertise and knowledge of others outside the group as part of the implementation work programme.