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Draft National Policy Statement for Freshwater Management

This is the draft of the proposed new National Policy Statement for Freshwater Management (NPS-FM). It sets out the objectives and policies for freshwater management under the Resource Management Act 1991.

This is the draft of the proposed new National Policy Statement for Freshwater Management (NPS-FM). It sets out the objectives and policies for freshwater management under the Resource Management Act 1991.

This draft NPS-FM is proposed as a full replacement of the National Policy Statement for Freshwater Management 2014 (as amended 2017). It is part of a package of proposed freshwater regulations set out in Action for healthy waterways: a discussion document on national direction for our essential freshwater

A new approach to drafting

We have used a new approach to drafting the NPS-FM to improve its quality and make it clearer and more accessible to all New Zealanders. This will ensure the NPS-FM has a more logical and connected structure, is internally consistent, and sets out clearer obligations, actions and directions for local authorities to meet. 

Some proposals in this draft are contained within square brackets. This is to indicate that these proposals present more than one option for consideration in consultation. 

We appreciate this is a substantial change. We are continuing to improve this new drafting approach. We welcomed your feedback on it as part of the consultation on Action for healthy waterways. The period for submissions closed on 31 October 2019. 

Supporting Documents

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