The Waikato River Authority has welcomed the Environment Court’s final decision on Plan Change 1 (PC1) to the Waikato Regional Plan, describing it as a critical milestone in the long-term
journey to restore and protect the health and wellbeing of the Waikato and Waipā Rivers.
PC1 is the first major regulatory step toward restoring water quality across the Waikato and Waipā river catchments. It sets long-term water quality targets aligned with Te Ture Whaimana o Te Awa o Waikato, the Vision and Strategy for the Waikato River, with an overarching goal of enabling people to safely swim in the river and gather food from it along its entire length by 2096. An interim target of 20% improvement in water quality has also been established.
In its decision, the Court stated: “Whatever the extent of reductions achieved, they will form an essential first step toward achieving Te Ture Whaimana, which cannot be achieved without them.” The Court also found that PC1 provisions will reduce effects on water quality to be as low as practicable across the catchment within 10 years.
Waikato River Authority Co-Chair Stu Kneebone said the decision reinforced the importance of Te Ture Whaimana as the guiding framework for restoring the river for future generations.
“This decision confirms that Te Ture Whaimana remains the compass guiding the restoration of the Waikato River system. The Court has recognised that improving the health of the river will take time, commitment and collective action across the catchment.”
“The river did not become degraded overnight and it will not be restored overnight. What is important is that progress continues and that we keep moving forward together.”
Waikato River Authority Co-Chair Danny Loughlin said the decision reflected the intent of the Waikato River settlement and the shared responsibility of all people to restore the Waikato and
Waipā Rivers.
“Te Ture Whaimana was created to ensure the health and wellbeing of the river is placed at the centre of decision-making. This decision reinforces that vision and acknowledges that Plan Change 1 is part of a much longer intergenerational journey.”
“Mā Rau Ringa e ora ai te awa – many hands will restore the river. That is the spirit we must carry forward from this decision. Everyone has a role to play in restoring and protecting the Waikato and Waipā Rivers for future generations.”The Court stressed that the success of PC1 will depend heavily on collaboration between iwi, farmers, industry, councils and communities. The Waikato River Authority said it will continue to give effect to Te Ture Whaimana through integrated, holistic and coordinated action across the catchment and looks forward to working with all parties to build on this decision as the next steps in the restoration journey are progressed.
ENDS
Media contact
Te Anga Nathan
Pou Kōrero, Waikato River Authority
About the Waikato River Authority
The Waikato River Authority is an independent statutory co-governance body established in 2010 through the Waikato River Treaty Settlement legislation. Made up of equal Crown and iwi representatives, the Authority is the custodian of Te Ture Whaimana o Te Awa o Waikato, the Vision and Strategy for the Waikato and Waipā Rivers, and promotes an integrated, holistic and coordinated approach to restoring and protecting the health and wellbeing of the river system. Through the Waikato River Clean-up Trust, the Authority invests in projects and initiatives that support the long-term restoration of the awa for future generations.
