Marlborough District Council is reminding farmers that new regulations for intensive winter grazing and stock exclusion took effect on 1 July 2025.

These changes follow amendments to the National Environmental Standards for Freshwater and are part of a nationwide effort to enhance freshwater health.

Between May 1 and September 30, farmers must exclude cattle from all intermittent and permanent waterways (wider than one metre at any point) when grazing winter forage crops. This includes paddocks with rivers, lakes, wetlands, and modified waterways, regardless of whether water is present at the time.

The two new standalone regulations for intensive winter grazing include:

• Maintain a five-metre planting setback from any water body or drain.
• Avoid cropping and grazing critical source areas with direct connection to waterways.
• Permanent vegetation must be maintained in these areas to assist in filtering runoff and safeguarding water quality.

Council’s Regional Catchment Facilitator, Nic Dann, said the regulations help minimise the impact of livestock on water bodies and wetlands.

“The Council’s Catchment Care Team is here to support farmers with practical advice and resources to help meet these requirements. We encourage all landowners to review the regulations and ensure their grazing practices align with the new standards.

“Let’s work together to protect Marlborough’s waterways for future generations.”

For more information, visit:

Intensive winter grazing: environment.govt.nz/assets/publications/RM-reform/amendments-to-intensive-winter-grazing-regulations.pdf

Stock exclusion: https://environment.govt.nz/assets/publications/Freshwater/stock-exclusion-factsheet-essential-freshwater.pdf

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