Stock activity can damage the bed and banks of our waterways. Dung, urine, and sediment can also seriously impact water quality, the lives of animals living there, and mahinga kai values.
The National Stock Exclusion Regulations(external link) exclude certain types of stock from waterways. For any pastoral system already in place as of 3 September 2020, the provisions take effect at varying dates depending on the stock type and situation (see Stock Exclusion Rules - below). The provisions take effect immediately for any new pastoral system established on or after 3 September 2020.
The stock exclusion rules apply to beef cattle, dairy cows, dairy support cows, pigs, and deer, and are slightly different for each. Sheep are excluded from the Stock Exclusion regulations.
Stock Exclusion Rules
The Stock Exclusion Regulations(external link) require stock on new pastoral systems to be excluded and kept at least 3 metres from the edge of the bed of a lake or a wide river. A wide river is a waterway that has a bed greater than 1 metre wide at any point on the parcel of land. It includes intermittent flowing streams but excludes drains.
Stock must also be fully excluded from wetlands. There is no minimum setback distance.
*A permanent fence or riparian vegetation that existed on 5 October 2023 that effectively excludes stock from the river/lake bed
It is important to understand that as long as the 3-meter setback requirement is met, the method of exclusion does not matter. In circumstances where permanent fencing is not practical (eg flood-prone land), a one-wire fence or temporary tape is acceptable - as long as it effectively excludes stock from our waterways.
The dates by which each stock type must be excluded from waterways are detailed below.
Rivers and Lakes
3 September 2020 – all new beef operations established on or after this date must exclude stock from wide rivers and lakes.
1 July 2023 – all beef cattle that are intensively grazed (see footnote below) on any terrain must be excluded from wide rivers and lakes.
Wetlands
1 July 2023 – all beef farms must exclude stock from natural wetlands identified in a Regional Plan as of 3 September 2020.
1 July 2025 - all beef cattle, if intensively grazedmust be excluded from natural wetlands that support a population of threatened species as described in the National Policy Statement for Freshwater Management 2020.
FOOTNOTE: for the purposes of the stock exclusion rules, intensive grazing is defined as break feeding, grazing on annual forage crops, or grazing on pasture that has been irrigated with water in the past 12 months.
Rivers and Lakes.
1 July 2023 – alldairy farms must exclude stock from wide rivers and lakes.
Wetlands
1 July 2023 – alldairy cows must be excluded from natural wetlands identified by the Council as of 3 September 2020.
1 July 2025 - alldairy cows must be excluded from natural wetlands that support a population of threatened species as described in the National Policy Statement for Freshwater Management 2020.
Rivers and Lakes
3 September 2020 – all new dairy support operations established on or after this date must exclude stock from wide rivers and lakes.
1 July 2025 - alldairy support operations must exclude stock from wide rivers and lakes.
Wetlands
1 July 2023 – all dairy support cows must be excluded from natural wetlands identified by Council as of 3 September 2020.
1 July 2025 - all dairy support cows must be excluded from natural wetlands that support a population of threatened species as described in the National Policy Statement for Freshwater Management 2020.
Rivers and Lakes
3 September 2020 – all new deer operations established on or after this date must exclude stock from wide rivers and lakes.
1 July 2023 –all intensively grazed deer must be excluded from wide rivers and lakes.
Wetlands
1 July 2023 – all deer must be excluded from natural wetlands identified by Council as of 3 September 2020.
1 July 2025 - all deer, if intensively grazed, must be excluded from natural wetlands that support a population of threatened species as described in the National Policy Statement for Freshwater Management 2020.
Rivers and Lakes
1 July 2023 – all pig farms must exclude pigs from wide rivers and lakes.
Wetlands
1 July 2023 – all pig farms must exclude pigs from natural wetlands identified by Council as of 3 September 2020.
1 July 2025 – all pigs must be excluded from natural wetlands that support a population of threatened species as described in the National Policy Statement for Freshwater Management 2020.
Stock Crossings Rules
Stock can cross lakes and rivers if they are supervised and actively driven across the waterbody. However, they cannot cross the same lake or river more than twice in any month.
If stock need to cross a river or lake more than twice in a month, you must install a dedicated bridge or culvert.
➡️ Check out the rules for installing culverts and bridges here .
Need help?
Is your head spinning? We know this is a lot of complex information to take in. If you have any questions about the Essential Freshwater Regulations for Stock Exclusion or need help identifying a wetland on your property, our Catchment Advisors are here to help.
