We are starting to provide some key policy updates and news - see below for our first edition:

Budget 2023: 
On the 18th of May, the Government released their election-year budget. According to Radio NZ, this year's "no-frills" Budget is spending nearly $11.5 billion more of taxpayers' money over four years, plus $1.9b from the climate response fund, with a focus on cost-of-living and cyclone recovery. You can view Radio NZ’s  ‘budget at a glance’ article by clicking here. 

Ministerial Inquiry into Land Use
The Ministerial Inquiry into Land Use causing woody debris (including forestry slash) and sediment-related damage in Tairāwhiti and Wairoa has delivered its report to the commissioning Ministers this month.

Environment Minister David Parker says the report will immediately inform the current review of the National Environmental Standards on Plantation Forestry (NES-PF). 

You can read the report by clicking here.

Freshwater Farm Plans (FWFPs)
The FWFP regulations are expected to be ready for rollout by mid-2023. Farmers will need an FWFP  if they have:

• 20 hectares or more in arable or pastoral use
• 5 hectares or more in horticultural use
• 20 hectares or more of combined use

Southland and Waikato will be the first regions where FW-FPs are rolled out later in 2023. Keep an eye out for information from your local regional council if you are based in these areas. You can find out more information on the Ministry for the Environment Website by clicking here. 

The FWFP regulations will set out the minimum content requirements for a plan to be certified. The certifier will be checking the FWFP is fit for purpose as per the requirements with actions that are appropriate and reasonable to address risks to freshwater on-farm. The role of the auditor will be to check that the action plan within the FWFP has been complied with and assign the necessary audit grade. 

Te Uru Kahika (Regional and Unitary Councils Aotearoa) are working closely with AsureQuality and MfE as they design the certifier and auditor appointment process to ensure that this system delivers what it needs to for regional and unitary councils. Te Uru Kahika are also providing feedback on the training material that is being developed to ensure a sector view is provided. We expect more information will be provided on this arrangement and how it will work soon.