Waikato - Plan Change 1

What the Environment Court decision means for dairy farmers (Waikato PC1)

The Environment Courts final decision landed on 8 June 2026 and, subject to appeals, is the final outcome for Plan Change 1 (PC1) for the Waikato and Waipā catchments, a process that started over a decade ago.

This webpage provides an overview of the decision, what it means for dairy farmers, and what happens next.

What is PC1?

PC1 is the Waikato Regional Council plan change that sets new freshwater rules for farming and land use in the Waikato and Waipā catchments. It is designed to support the first 10 years of an 80-year programme to improve river health set out in the Vision and Strategy for the Waikato River.

What happens next?

Waikato Regional Council (WRC) must finalise plan wording and submit amendments within 30 working days of the decision. This process takes direction from the courts and rewrites the plan to reflect that decision.

Plan becomes “operative” once finalised and any appeals are resolved (likely late 2026-27). The council will essentially turn on the plan.
Think of the date the plan becomes operative as Day 0 for farmers for compliance/action.
Farmers in some catchments, like the Whangamarino, will have 12 months from Day 0 to gain consent. Other catchments have a staged roll out ranging from 12 months to several years.

Key implications for dairy farmers

For most dairy farmers, PC1 will mean:

Having a Farm Environment Plan.
Implementing good farming practices.
Demonstrating contaminant loss risk from their farm are as low as practicable, or moving towards that over time.
Some farms will also require resource consent and Overseer.

What should farmers do now?

DairyNZ will provide updates and more detailed guidance as the process progresses. While appeals and final plan drafting still need to occur, the key outcomes for dairy farmers are outlined below.

Risk-based regulation

The rule category you fall into depends on your farm’s risk level, which is determined by:

whether you can meet minimum standards, and
if you fall “under the threshold” using the nitrogen risk scorecard (NRS). (The NRS is used to assess whether you can operate as a permitted activity).
Low-risk farms can operate as permitted activities if they meet specified standards and fall under the NRS figure for their farm. As a permitted activity, you will need to have a farm plan, meet the standards listed in PC1, and stay under the threshold.
Dairy farms that are not “low risk” require resource consent, which includes the need for a farm plan and Overseer file.

All dairy farms must progressively reduce contaminant losses and adopt good management practices, with the goal of demonstrating they are operating as “low as practicable”.

Prior to DairyNZ and Fonterra appealing, all dairy farmers required Overseer and there was an additional high-risk farm category under a Restricted Discretionary consent.

Through evidence presented by DairyNZ and Fonterra, the additional high-risk dairy category was removed, providing a simpler consenting pathway for approximately 500 dairy farms.

Farm Environment Plans (FEPs)

Generally speaking, dairy farmers will need to show how nitrogen, phosphorus, sediment and bacteria losses will be reduced to “as low as practicable” within 10 years (or confirm they already are). Farm plans are required for both permitted and consented farms, but the details vary slightly between these.

DairyNZ, alongside others in ‘Team Ag’, has ensured farmers only need one farm plan to comply with PC1 and National FWFPs.

Use of Overseer (nutrient modelling)

Dairy farms that are consented will need an Overseer file with their consent. Alternative tools are generally not allowed for higher-risk dairy farms.

DairyNZ and Fonterra have managed to remove the requirement for Overseer for permitted dairy farms through their evidence, but would have liked to remove it for consented farms as well.

Consents and duration

More intensive farms will need resource consent, typically lasting up to 15 years (no later than 2041). Consents will require staged improvements over time.

Operating at farm system level

Regulation applies at the “single operating unit” (farm system) level. Each farm system generally needs its own Farm Environment Plan and consent.

Long-term direction

PC1 is the first step in an 80-year program to restore river health. Farmers are expected to continue improving over time beyond the initial 10-year requirements. Having said that, there are reforms of the Resource Management Act happening, and reviews of the Vision and Strategy for the Waikato River (Te Ture Whaimana).

Good Management Practices (GMP)

Adoption of industry good practice is mandatory. Farmers must implement actions such as improved effluent management, riparian planting, and critical source area control where relevant. Good Management Practices and Good Farming Practice are interchangeable and align with dairy sector good farming practices. GFP under PC1 is specified under Schedules D1 and D2, but also references sector defined GFP to ensure both are recognised.

The court recognised that full adoption of every good farming practice may not be necessary, possible, or appropriate for all farms, and included the concept of "general adoption" within the decision.

Implications of national policy reform

National freshwater and resource management reforms are still being developed. These changes could affect how PC1 is implemented in the future. DairyNZ is monitoring these reforms closely and will keep farmers informed.

What is DairyNZ doing from here?

This plan change process and decision highlights why New Zealand needs RMA reform. The process so far has involved over a decade of uncertainty, unnecessary costs, and a complex, highly regulated set of rules for farmers.

The Government has proposed replacing the RMA, and this is currently before Parliament. DairyNZ is working to ensure any new law works for farmers. We have been proactively working with local dairy companies and Waikato Regional Council to support farmers, and are pushing for clear implementation guidance.

DairyNZ has also requested to work with Waikato Regional Council to develop the science and evidence farmers need for their consents. We’ve been part of this process for over a decade and will stay closely involved so we can provide farmers the information they need.