Many landowners in our region have been severely impacted by Cyclones Hale and Gabrielle. There’s a massive amount of clean-up work to be done, and there’s an equal measure of uncertainty about what is allowed. We’d like to assure you that we’re here to help, and that we’re going to make it as easy for you as we can.
How we can help if you’ve been affected by the cyclones:
- There are some ‘emergency’ tasks you’ll need to do straight away. We don’t want to stop you.
- It’s important that you keep a record of what you’ve done, including how you’ve mitigated damage to the environment.
- We’ve provided info below on what is permitted under the rules, and when you need to call us.
- Where a consent appears to be needed, we’ll use a fast-tracked process. You won’t need to fill in any forms, we’ll do it for you. And we’ll ask for less information than we would usually.
- If in doubt, please contact us on notifications@gw.govt.nz or 0800 496 734.
Permitted activities
Here’s a summary of some activities which are permitted. The limits and conditions are reasonably permissive, and if a consent appears to be needed, we’ll follow a pragmatic and fast-tracked approach.
For more information on the conditions, read the rules or contact us.
Activity |
What you can do |
When you’ll need a consent |
Link to rules |
Clearing of silt from paddocks or other land. |
This is permitted.
You can clear up to 400m3 (approx. 40 x 10m tipper trucks full) of material. |
If you’re clearing a lot more than 400m3, or you can’t meet any of the other conditions in the rule (e.g. where you put and how you stabilise the silt). |
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Creating new farm tracks |
All repair to existing farm tracks can be undertaken as a permitted activity.
If you need to build new farm tracks, this is also permitted.
Earthworks to build new farm tracks is permitted up to 10,000m2. (Equivalent to a 4m wide track that is 2.5km long). |
If your earthworks are considerably more than 10,000m2, or you can’t meet any of the other conditions in the rule (such as erosion and sediment controls).
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Removal of debris and sediment blocking rivers/streams and highly modified waterways |
This is permitted - and we have guidance on how to do it. |
Generally, we wouldn’t process a consent for these types of activities if you can’t meet the rule conditions, but they are fairly easy to meet. |
General rivers or stream – R137 Highly modified waterways (farms drains) – R134 |
Clearing out of culverts |
This is permitted. |
If you can’t work within 5m of the structure, or you disturb more than 10m2 of bed.
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Dead stock disposal |
This is permitted. |
If burning causes an objectionable effect beyond the boundary of the property. For offal pits, the key is they are set back from waterways or bores, are the right soil types (silt or clay) and are more than 0.6m above the seasonal highest water table.
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Burning – R1
Offal pit – R79 |
Cleaning out of dams filled with silt and debris |
This is permitted - and we have guidance on how to do it. The guidance was written for highly modified streams, but the same conditions and good management practices apply. Please focus on the “Good Management Practices” section of the guidance.
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Generally, we wouldn’t process a consent for these types of activities if you can’t meet permitted activity conditions, but the conditions are fairly easy to meet. |
R134 if the dam is part of a stream. If not part of a stream, there’s no relevant rule, but refer to R80 for the discharge of the sediment. |
Burning of debris
|
This is permitted. |
You can’t burn specified material, such as treated timber, plastics, rubber, synthetic materials etc.
A farm dump might be more appropriate.
|
Burning - R1
Farm dump – R78 |
New culverts or bridges replacing like for like |
This is permitted. |
If you can’t meet the permitted activity conditions, such as riverbed disturbance. |
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New culverts or bridges that are considerably bigger than before. |
This is permitted.
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Culverts – if the culvert isn't sized appropriately, or if it does not provide for fish passage.
Bridges – if the bridge has a catchment area above it more than 200ha. |
Culverts - R126
Bridges – R125 |
Activities that are more restrictive
These activities are permitted, but the limits and conditions may be harder to comply with.
Activity |
What you can do |
When you’ll need a consent |
Link to rules |
Gravel extraction from rivers |
You can extract up to 50m3 (approx. 5 x 10m tipper trucks full) of gravel.
|
If you’re extracting more than 50m3, or if you’re working within flowing water. |
Pages 29 - 30 |
Diverting the flow of a river back into its original course |
You can divert a river back to its original course if it has stopped flowing into its new path. |
If it’s still flowing into its new path. We have a construction methodology available if you need it. The focus is on:
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More information and help
Mental health
- Call or text 1737 to speak to a trained counsellor for free 24/7.
- Vake Tautua (Pasifika mental health and disability services) 0800 825 282
- Youthline – 0800 376 633, free text 234 or email talk@youthline.co.nz or use their Webchat service
- Anxiety New Zealand 0800 ANXIETY (0800 269 4389)
- Depression.org.nz 0800 111 757 or text 4202
- Lifeline 0800 543 354
- Mental Health Foundation 09 623 4812, access its free resource and information service.
Financial help
- Work and Income – call on 0800 400 100 or visit their page for more about Civil Defence Payments to cover loss of income, emergency food and more.
- Inland Revenue – call 0800 473 566 or visit their website for more about tax relief for adverse events.
- Talk to your bank about deferring repayments or fastmoving working capital.
- Talk to your accountant about reassessing provisional tax payments.
Rural advice
- Ministry for Primary Industries – 0800 00 83 33 or check out the information on their website.
- Rural Support Trust Wairarapa – check out their Facebook page.
Support for Pacific communities
For information and support for our Pacific communities please visit the Ministry for Pacific Peoples website.
Emergency accommodation, food, and other essentials
Contact out the info on the website for Carterton District Council and Masterton District Council
Get in touch
- Phone:
- 0800 496 734
- Email:
- notifications@gw.govt.nz