National News & Information > Fish & Game NZ and the Resource Management Act

Clean water, freedom of access and a variety of experiences at no additional cost to the licence fee are at the heart of the fish and game experience in New Zealand. However, the protection and continued existence of these is not assured.

Industries such as meat processing plants and paper mills discharge treated wastes into rivers throughout the country. Some local authorities still dispose of human sewage into rivers and lakes. Agricultural activities continue to result in the drainage of wetlands and devastating high country erosion. Urbanisation and subdivision along streams, rivers and lakes increasingly poses threats to water quality and recreational access.

This is why Fish & Game New Zealand’s environmental planning and advocacy work is vital. An important part of this work focuses on the 1991 Resource Management Act.

What is the Resource Management Act?

The RMA is the key law controlling and managing the impacts of people’s activities on New Zealand’s environment. Fish and Game NZ uses the legal opportunities created by the RMA to achieve the protection, and in some cases improvement, of fish and game habitat and recreational activity.

For example under the RMA permission, in the form of a resource consent, is required for most things people do that could change the environment. A resource consent sets down what a person is allowed to do, including the effects this can have on the environment.

How Does the Act Work?

We often become involved in this process, putting forward to the deciding authority (a regional or district council) their ideas on what should and should not be allowed. This happens in a variety of ways including informal talks with the person or organisation applying for the consent or the more formal legal methods of putting the point of view by writing or speaking at a special hearing. If those involved are unhappy with the results, the case can be appealed to the Environment Court.

By taking part in these processes, Fish & Game NZ can get conditions placed on resource consents that prevent damage to sports fish and game bird habitat and its associated recreational activities.

This could include things like ensuring harmful contaminants are removed from a waste discharge or that water flow is maintained below a river diversion. This protects fish life and angling opportunities.

This work benefits native as well as introduced fish and birds, improves the environment for all New Zealanders and has resulted in some impressive achievements.

In Southland, ECNZ agreed to a number of changes in its Lake Manapouri hydro- electric operations as a result of discussions with Fish & Game NZ and others. These include re-setting of minimum flows in the Waiau River, resulting in significantly improved fish numbers that will benefit anglers now and in the future. Other recreational users will also benefit.

Other uses of the RMA

Other involvement in RMA processes ensures Fish & Game interests are taken into account in regional and district council plans. These authorities are required to prepare plans that set out their goals, policies and rules for different environmental activities in their areas. This includes rules for what people do near rivers, on the coastline and on the land in general.

Much of this work focuses on ensuring rules are included that protect and improve hunter and angler access alongside streams, rivers and lakes. This is particularly important when public access is threatened by residential subdivision. Without this action by Fish & Game NZ and other environmental and recreational groups many opportunities to safeguard public access would have been lost.

The enforcement provisions of the RMA provide yet another way for us to speak on behalf of anglers and hunters. The Act provides clear actions that can be taken against people and organisations that damage the environment. This includes things like discharging waste into streams and rivers or removal of bush from the headwaters of rivers.

Working With Other Organisations

One of the greatest benefits of involvement with the RMA is the opportunity to work with other parties to resolve conflicts. The Waiau River example shows how results can be achieved that benefit all New Zealanders through discussions and agreement between those affected – in this case the Southland Fish & Game Council, local iwi and ECNZ.

Fish & Game NZ is often a key party in the achievement of environmental protection and improvement through such agreements. When this is impossible, we put considerable time, expertise and money into defending the environmental interests of anglers, hunters and the wider public.

For more information contact your local Fish & Game office or the New Zealand Council on (04) 499 4767 or fax (04) 499 4768.