There are rules under both our Regional Water Plan and the Resource Management (Stock Exclusion) Regulations 2020 which restrict stock access to water.

Under our regional rules, livestock can only disturb the bed of a lake, river or regionally significant wetland (excluding intentional driving of livestock) as long as:

• you are not feeding out on the bed of the river or lake or the wetland
• your stock do not cause or induce noticeable slumping, pugging or erosion
• your stock do not cause a visual change in colour or clarity of the water; and
• your stock do not damage fauna or New Zealand native flora in or on any regionally significant wetland

Under the Resource Management (Stock Exclusion) Regulations 2020:

• Dairy cattle and pigs must be restricted from grazing within three metres from the bank of any lake or the banks of any river or stream more than a river wide
• Beef cattle and deer that are being intensively grazed must be restricted from grazing within three metres from the bank of any lake or the banks of any river or stream more than a river wide
• Dairy and beef cattle, deer and pigs must also be excluded from some wetlands
• Sheep are not included in these regulations

Compliance with these regulations will be required immediately for new pastoral systems, and from 1 July 2023 or 1 July 2025 for existing systems depending on the stock type, activities and location.