Final Environment Court decision issued on Plan Change 1

The Environment Court has directed Waikato Regional Council to make 20 specific changes to finalise a landmark plan to improve water quality in the Waikato and Waipā rivers.

The decision on proposed Waikato Regional Plan Change 1 (PC1) was issued by the court late yesterday (Monday, 8 June), giving the council until 21 July to make the changes. Once the court confirms the amendments meet its intent, the plan will be finalised. Appeals on the court’s decision, limited to matters of law, are only able to be made to the High Court.

Waikato Regional Council Chief Executive Chris McLay said the decision marked a significant milestone in the 13-year process of the plan’s development.

“The Environment Court process is finally nearing an end. This decision is yet another step closer to providing clarity and certainty for farmers and growers in the Waikato and Waipā river catchments on their obligations for meeting the new rule framework,” he said. 

Science, Policy and Information Director Tracey May said, “This decision is detailed and highly technical because of its significance in setting up the framework for the policies and rules, and time will be needed for staff to fully review the 217-page decision and respond to the directions by the July deadline.”

The majority of court directions are very explicit, however there are a number of the directions that will require expert consideration, she said. 

She said the way the decision has been framed, it is important that it is read in conjunction with the two previously released interim court decisions (in May 2025 and February 2026).

Ms May said the ruling sets clear expectations for the support needed for ongoing implementation work.

“It gives us a stronger foundation for implementation, including the emphasis on practical guidance and support for farmers and growers.”

PC1 is the bold first step in an 80-year journey to achieve rivers with improved water quality, that are safe for food gathering along their entire length and meet the requirements of Te Ture Whaimana o Te Awa o Waikato (Vision and Strategy for the Waikato River).
 
It is a change to the Waikato Regional Plan, developed with the community, to allow for the management of nitrogen, phosphorus, sediment and bacteria in the Waikato and Waipā rivers.

A total of 24 appeals were lodged with the Environment Court, covering over 1000 points, in 2020. 

The court’s decision comes on the eve of Fieldays at Mystery Creek, with Waikato Regional Council in the Pavilion at site PE36 over the four days of the event. 

Background

Our rivers are showing the signs of being affected by contaminants, with an increase in algal blooms and decrease in swimmability. The longer we wait to address these effects, the harder and more expensive it will be to fix.

That’s where Healthy Rivers/Wai Ora comes in. It’s the bold first step in an 80-year journey to achieve rivers that have improved water quality, are safe for food gathering along their entire length and meet the requirements of Te Ture Whaimana o Te Awa o Waikato.

It is a change to the Waikato Regional Plan, with rules to manage both point source discharges (such as sewage from towns and waste from factories) and non-point source discharges linked to agriculture. First developed with the community, it allows for the management of nitrogen, phosphorus, sediment and bacteria in the Waikato and Waipā river catchments.

Read more at waikatoregion.govt.nz/healthyrivers.