Water resource management is a key issue for resource planning in New Zealand. Abundant and good quality water is a scarce resource and managing water effectively to meet competing expectations and values can be complex, confrontational and costly.

This workshop will help to break down the complexity of managing freshwater and giving effect to the National Policy Statement for Freshwater Management, including a discussion on signalled changes. We will provide participants with examples of aspects of frameworks for management that have been used successfully in many parts of the country, including examples from Manawatu, Hawke's Bay, Wairarapa, Canterbury, Nelson, Waikato, Southland and Northland

The science and technical detail of freshwater will be clearly and simply explained giving you basic science behind water management in New Zealand, quality, quantity and habitat.

The statutory and policy foundations for freshwater management will be set out. We will spend time helping you to understand the requirements of and potential benefits and pitfalls of the National Policy Statement for Freshwater Management. The Government is currently considering changes to the national direction on freshwater. While we can’t predict what the final package will look like, we will talk about the key directions and themes signalled in the proposed package to date.

Participants will work through practical exercises to apply the skills they have learned, including identifying freshwater issues and setting freshwater objectives, and have the opportunity to learn from the experiences of the presenters and others in the group.

Tools for partnership with iwi and collaborative engagement with stakeholders will also be discussed, with examples of successful approaches from around the country.

You will gain a knowledge of recent approaches taken by other councils and stakeholders to water management planning, recent case law and potential changes to the regulatory and policy framework at the national level.


PRESENTED BY HELEN MARR AND KATE MCARTHUR
Helen Marr is a resource management planner with experience and focus on resolving water policy issues. Helen has been involved in water management issues in Manawatu, Hawkes Bay, Wellington and Canterbury. Helen is a Director of Perception Planning, a specialist resource management planning consultancy.

Kate McArthur is a water scientist and resource manager with experience in limit setting with councils, iwi and stakeholders. Kate has been involved in developing water management frameworks in the Manawatu-Whanganui, Hawkes Bay, Northland and Nelson and has advised at a national level on the Freshwater National Policy Statement and National Objectives Framework. Kate regularly lectures in planning and environmental science at Massey University and is an RMA Hearings Commissioner. Kate is the Practice Leader – Water Quality for The Catalyst Group, an environmental consultancy based in Palmerston North.


NOTE - If you are interested in attending a workshop please register early to ensure it goes ahead. Minimum numbers are required for a workshop to run. This generally ensures there is sufficient people to allow different experience and views to be part of the discussion within the course setting. Registration deadline is normally two weeks prior to the event (depending on the venue). Thank you.

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