Support/FAQ

For the non-Industry pathway- the cost of developing a plan will vary for each farming operation and will be dependent on whether the farm operator completes it themselves or works with a consultant. Certifiers and auditors will set their own costs for farm operators to cover.

Industry Assurance Programmes will already have their own cost structures

Because every farm is different, there is no one-size-fits-all template for developing a freshwater farm plan.

Industry developed templates will need to incorporate Freshwater Farm Plan certification requirements.

Farm operators are able to produce their own plans for certification. Guidance is available to support farmers to do this.

Industry developed templates will need to incorporate Freshwater Farm Plan certification requirements.

Council can help provide landowners with information and advice on their waterways and CSAs through land action plans, or on farm advice.

Council staff are also available to answer questions, provide information and advice around Freshwater Farm Plan to farmers.

Council will be providing the catchment context, challenges, and values for Freshwater Farm Plan, along with spatial tools to support FWFPs.

Further information is required by Government to determine how FWFP may align with Industry Assurance Programmes. Certification and Audit timeframes are yet to be determined.

Regulated action refers to actions that:

• relate to relevant regulatory requirements, for example, nitrogen cap, stock exclusion regulations, intensive winter grazing regulations and Marlborough Environment Plan rules

Catchment actions refers to:

• actions that directly relate to the catchment context, challenges and values for the catchment

Supplementary actions refers to:

• actions that address risks to freshwater and freshwater ecosystems, determined by the operators and are examples of best practice

Council will list Freshwater Farm Plan auditors on the Council website. Industry will have their own process and auditors.

Farm operators will need to collect, record and be able to provide evidence of completing actions for auditors. (receipts, photos of before and after)

For non-industry pathway to developing a FWFP- Farm Operators need to arrange for an auditor. Once engaged, the auditor will support the farm operator through the audit process. Once the Freshwater Farm Plan has been audited, the auditor will notify Council of the audit grade.

If there is any disagreement with any aspect of the certifier’s draft decision or assessment report, a farm operator can provide comments to the certifier in writing. Check Ministry of the Environment website for the full process.

Yes, if that person is a registered certifier in Marlborough.

Unsure on Industry Assurance Programmes, or farmer developed FWFPs. Further information will follow, when there is more clarity on the regulatory requirements. Expected later in 2026.

FWFPs can pass to the new owner to adopt. If the new owner adopts the property’s existing plan and they may need to arrange for an auditor after taking over the farm operations. Further information will follow, when there is more clarity on the regulatory requirements. Expected later in 2026.

For some activities a certified Freshwater Farm Plan is an acceptable alternative to a resource consent. There are still several conditions that need to be met, so check the relevant factsheets, check the rules in the Marlborough Environment Plan.