The following table sets out the stock exclusion requirements under the Resource Management (Stock Exclusion) Regulations 2020 and the dates they need to be met by. These relate to all properties regardless of size.

Resource consent cannot be sought for these stock exclusions requirements. Where these stock exclusions are not complied with by the required dates enforcement action may be taken.  

These regulations affect all properties that farm cattle, pigs and deer.

Stock exclusion activity

New converted grazing land 3 September 2020 Existing grazing land 1 July 2023

Dairy cattle (excluding dairy support) and pigs excluded a minimum of 3m from all lakes, rivers regardless of slope. 

New converted grazing land 3 September 2020 Existing grazing land 1 July 2023

Beef cattle and deer excluded a minimum of 3m from all lakes and rivers, regardless of slope, where adjoining land is used for:

  • fodder-cropping; OR  
  • break-feeding: OR  
  • grazing on pasture irrigated within the previous 12 months.

New converted grazing land 3 September 2020 Existing grazing land 1 July 2023

All cattle, pigs and deer excluded from any natural wetland identified in a:  

  • regional plan
  • district plan 
  • regional policy statement

Where those plans were operative on 3 September 2020.

New converted grazing land 3 September 2020 Existing grazing land 1 July 2025

Dairy support cattle excluded a minimum of 3m from all lakes and rivers regardless of slope. 

New converted grazing land 3 September 2020 Existing grazing land 1 July 2025

Beef cattle and deer excluded a minimum of 3m from all lakes and rivers on land that has a slope of 10 degrees or less* .  

New converted grazing land 3 September 2020 Existing grazing land 1 July 2025

All cattle, pigs and deer excluded from any natural wetland that:  

  • supports a population of threatened species as described in the National Policy Statement for Freshwater Management 2020; OR 
  • is identified in a regional plan that becomes operative after 3 September 2020.  

New converted grazing land 3 September 2020 Existing grazing land 1 July 2025

 All cattle, pigs and deer excluded from any natural wetland that is 500m2 or more on land that has a slope of 10 degrees or less.

Note 

* For low slope land refer to the map at this link.

Under these regulations, a river is a continually or intermittently flowing body of freshwater, including streams and modified watercourses, and that has a bed wider than 1m anywhere in the land parcel. A river does not include an artificial watercourse. 

Where all or part of a lake or river is already permanent fenced or has riparian vegetation that effectively excludes stock by 3 September 2020 they do not need to meet the 3m setback. A permanent fence is: 

  • a post and batten fence with driven or dug fence posts; OR 
  • an electric fence of at least 2 electrified wires and driven or dug fence posts; OR 
  • a deer fence.

Where any cattle or pigs need to cross a lake or river they must cross using a dedicated bridge or culvert unless they are supervised and actively driven across and do not cross more than twice in any month. 

Where a more stringent rule exists in a regional plan it will prevail over these regulations. 

Overview: new regulation summary Nitrogen fertiliser cap summary