Tukituki Catchment Plan Change
HBRC is working with landowners and communities living in the Tukituki River catchment in Central Hawke’s Bay, to manage specific water quality issues. Poor water quality and a decline in natural (biodiversity) values need to be resolved.
What is the situation?
The Tukituki River tends to have a build up of periphyton (slime and algae) during warm summer months when water flows are low. This creates an unhealthy environment for fish, river bugs and insects and makes the river unattractive, especially for recreation. The growth of cyanobacteria algae is a concern in some stretches of the river. It can turn toxic and affect human and animal health. Plant nutrients, particularly nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P), sunlight and water temperatures determine how much slime and algae grows in rivers and streams.
The Tukituki Plan and large-scale water storage
The proposed Ruataniwha water storage scheme was shelved in 2017. The policies and rules in the Tukituki Plan still apply and are being implemented.
Why did the Tukituki Plan (PC6) happen?
In 2014 the government introduced the National Policy Statement for Freshwater Management (NPSFM) to improve freshwater management in New Zealand. Part of this directs regional councils to establish objectives and set limits for fresh water in their regional plans.
Tukituki was the first of Hawke's Bay’s catchments to be addressed. The aim is to sustainably manage the land and freshwater to enable recreational use, ecosystem health, safe drinking water, decreased algal growth, enhanced mauri and the use of water for primary production and processing purposes.
What is the Tukituki Plan?
Tukituki Plan is the name of the document which spells out changes to the objectives, policies and rules that apply in the Tukituki Catchment.
Who does the Plan affect?
Everyone, and in particular landowners and occupiers in the Tukituki Catchment who have 4 hectares or more of production land.
What should I be doing now?
• Plan to or start to exclude stock from waterways - See our Stock Exclusion page.
• Keep records for your Nutrient Budget and talk to people that can potentially provide a Nutrient Budget for you
• Talk to Farm Environmental Management Plan providers, and register interest with industry providers or approved individuals - See our Farm Plan page for more information.
• Keep an eye on media and this website.
The goal
The Tukituki Plan sets out the rules and voluntary approaches to improve water quality and reach specific targets. New rules include stock exclusion from permanent and some intermittent streams, Farm Environment Management Plans, and maintaining records for nutrient budgeting. Putting this plan change into practice will take a coordinated effort from HBRC, landowners and the community.
Meet the Team
Talk to one of our team to answer your questions. You can also speak to your Regional Councillor.
Land Management:
If you need some on-farm advice on stock exclusion, riparian stream planting or erosion, please contact:
Paul Train
(06) 833 5472 or 027 533 2539
Warwick Hesketh
(06) 833 8001 or 027 496 6289
Resource Consents:
If you have some queries about a resource consent to take water, or to install a bridge or culvert, or you are new to this and want to know the basics, please contact:
Paul Barrett
(06) 833 8014
