Long-term visions for freshwater
The National Policy Statement for Freshwater Management (NPS-FM) requires Horizons Regional Council to set long-term visions (aspirational statements) for freshwater for each of our Freshwater Management Units (FMUs), or catchments within an FMU. These visions must contain goals that are 'ambitious but reasonable' (i.e. be difficult to achieve but not impossible).
From 26 April – 24 May 2022 we engaged on a list of statements that could form visions for the freshwater management units (FMUs) in the Horizons Region. We asked if people agreed with those statements, and whether anything was missing or needed changing.
We’ve proposed setting long-term visions at the FMU level because it means we can consider how the water that falls at the top of a mountain or range is impacted as it flows down through to the sea. It provides the opportunity to look at the individual pressures on each FMU and create visions reflective of this.
Visions must be based on an understanding of the history and environmental pressures on the FMU. So people could understand what those pressure are, we provided online “story maps” for each FMU.
We collected feedback on the vision statements via a survey through this website. The survey was promoted through our region wide e-newsletter to stakeholders, Across the Region, and a two-month radio campaign which included interviews of our staff about freshwater. Unfortunately, we were unable to conduct face-to-face engagement due to COVID disruptions. You can read the stakeholder feedback here.
The Whanganui FMU was not included in this round of consultation. Horizons has agreed with Ngā Tangata Tiaki, that a vision for the Whanganui FMU will be developed and consulted on by Te Kōpuka nā Te Awa Tupua, through Te Heke Ngahuru, the river strategy provided for by Te Awa Tupua Act 2017 (Whanganui River Claims Settlement).
We are also required to identify a timeframe for achieving the visions. We did not consult on a timeframe, this will be part of our Target Attribute State engagement in mid-2023.
Number of responses per FMU:
| Freshwater management unit | Number of responses |
|---|---|
| Kai Iwi | 8 |
| Manawatū | 35 |
| Puketoi ki Tai | 5 |
| Rangitīkei-Turakina | 13 |
| Waiopehu | 17 |
| Whangaehu | 13 |
Below are the draft visions we engaged on. Once we have incorporated tangata whenua feedback we will seek Councillor agreement in principle. We will then update this page and socialise Council’s initial thinking. The new visions will form the basis of revisions to the One Plan which is scheduled to be out for further public engagement late 2026/early 2027.
1: The FMU is managed in accordance with Te Mana o te Wai objectives and polices
2: The Kai Iwi FMU and estuaries are returned to a healthy condition
3: The habitats of indigenous species are restored, and indigenous species can migrate naturally within the FMU
4: Land use practices minimise discharges of nutrients and other contaminates to water bodies
5: Land management will minimise the extent of accelerated soil erosion, including where impacted by climate change
6: Waterways are safe, accessible and provide for swimming and other recreational uses
7: The ongoing relationship and connection of mana whenua to waterbodies and wai tapu is provided for
8: Waterways provide good and accessible mahinga kai and food resources
1: The FMU is managed in accordance with Te Mana o te Wai objectives and polices
2: The Manawatū River becomes a source of regional pride and mana
3: The Manawatū FMU and estuary are returned to a healthy condition
4: The habitats of indigenous species are restored, and indigenous species can migrate naturally within the FMU
5: The diversity and abundance of indigenous fish species is improved
6: Land use practices minimise discharges of nutrients and other contaminates to water bodies
7: Land management will minimise the extent of accelerated soil erosion, including where impacted by climate change
8: The impact of water takes in managed in a manner that is responsive to climate change
9: Waterways are safe, accessible and provide for swimming and other recreational uses
10: The ongoing relationship and connection of mana whenua to waterbodies and wai tapu is provided for
11: Waterways provide good and accessible food resources
12: Where the health and well-being of the Manawatū FMU is provided for, use of the land and water resources continues to underpin the economic prosperity of the Region
13: The habitat of trout is protected and restored, where this does not adversely impact the habit of threatened species
1: The FMU is managed in accordance with Te Mana o te Wai objectives and polices
2: The Puketoi ki Tai FMU and estuaries are returned to a healthy condition
3: The habitats of indigenous species are restored, and indigenous species can migrate naturally within the FMU
4: Land use practices minimise discharges of nutrients and other contaminates to water bodies
5: Land management will minimise the extent of accelerated soil erosion, including where impacted by climate change
6: The impact of water takes in managed in a manner that is responsive to climate change
7: Waterways are safe, accessible and provide for swimming and other recreational uses
8: The ongoing relationship and connection of mana whenua to waterbodies and wai tapu is provided for
9: Waterways provide good and accessible food resources
1: The FMU is managed in accordance with Te Mana o te Wai objectives and polices
2: The Rangitīkei-Turakina FMU and estuaries are returned to a healthy condition
3: The habitats of indigenous species are restored, and indigenous species can migrate naturally within the FMU
4: Land use practices minimise discharges of nutrients and other contaminates to water bodies
5: Land management will minimise the extent of accelerated soil erosion, including where impacted by climate change
6: Waterways are safe, accessible and provide for swimming and other recreational uses
7: The ongoing relationship and connection of mana whenua to waterbodies and wai tapu is provided for
8: Waterways provide good and accessible food resources
9: The habitat of trout is protected and restored, where this does not adversely impact the habit of threatened species
10: Sustainable land and water practices support the national contribution of the Tongariro hydro-electric scheme
1: The FMU is managed in accordance with Te Mana o te Wai objectives and polices
2: The Waiopehu FMU and estuaries are returned to a healthy condition
3: The habitats of indigenous species are restored, and indigenous species can migrate naturally within the FMU
4: The diversity and abundance of indigenous fish species is improved
5: Land use practices minimise discharges of nutrients and other contaminates to water bodies
6: Waterways are safe, accessible and provide for swimming and other recreational uses
7: The ongoing relationship and connection of mana whenua to waterbodies and wai tapu is provided for
8: Waterways provide good and accessible food resources
9: The habitat of trout is protected and restored, where this does not adversely impact the habit of threatened species
10: Lake Horowhenua becomes a source of pride for all people of Horowhenua
11: The trophic level [an indicator of lake ecosystem health] of Lake Horowhenua will have improved from hypertrophic to supertrophic
1: The FMU is managed in accordance with Te Mana o te Wai objectives and polices
2: The Rangitīkei-Turakina FMU and estuaries are returned to a healthy condition
3: The habitats of indigenous species are restored, and indigenous species can migrate naturally within the FMU
4: Land use practices minimise discharges of nutrients and other contaminates to water bodies
5: Land management will minimise the extent of accelerated soil erosion, including where impacted by climate change
6: Waterways are safe, accessible and provide for swimming and other recreational uses
7: The ongoing relationship and connection of mana whenua to waterbodies and wai tapu is provided for
8: Waterways provide good and accessible food resources
9: The habitat of trout is protected and restored, where this does not adversely impact the habit of threatened species
10: Sustainable land and water practices support the national contribution of the Tongariro hydro-electric scheme