Student ID: 2023002613 ENV403 Discussion Board 3 Word Count: 509

Discussion Board 3: Examine a local or national contemporary issue surrounding land use and resource
consent within New Zealand.
By C.O. Johns
Introduction:
The North Otago region in the South Island has many land and resource consent issues including water
management, agricultural expansion and intensification, tourism development, housing and urban
development, conservation and biodiversity and climate change adaptation. Land use and resource consent
are managed under the Resource Management Act (RMA) and this legislation governs the sustainable
management of natural and physical resources and emphasizes community engagement and environmental
protection.
Agriculture and Water Management:
The North Otago region was traditionally a dryland pasture-based system with most farming practices being
sheep, beef, and crop farming (ORC, 2005). The productivity and profitability of the region has been
improved with the introduction of irrigation schemes resulting in the intensification of land use in the area.
In 2006 in the Kakanui River and Waiareka Creek catchments an irrigation scheme was introduced. And in
October the North Otago Irrigation Company (NOIC) scheme was opened. Over the last 20 years, dairying
has been a very profitable farming operation but does require more water than drystock farming. This means
that land use change and water management has become an increasingly important issue for the region
(McDowell et al., 2011; Rae, 2022).
The intensification of dairy farming under irrigation can cause nutrient enrichment of the local water ways.
The local soil in the Waitaki region of North Otago is very free draining due to being formed on the Waitaki
River basin. This means that intensive irrigation and application of fertilizer and effluent from dairy farms
can cause nutrient runoff and decrease in water quality through increases of nitrogen (N) and phosphorus
(P). This has meant that there has been a increase in regulatory requirements for environmental compliance
on farm to ensure best management practices are being followed. NOIC has an environmental team which
ensures that resource consents with regards to irrigation use are followed. For example, farmers must be up
to date with a farm environment plan that ensures consent conditions are met in relation to irrigation,
effluent, nutrient management, and stock exclusion from waterways (Houlbrooke et al., 2008; McDowell et
al., 2011).
Along with being an important area for agriculture, the scenic attractions and unique biodiversity of the
North Otago region make it a significant place for tourism, recreation, and conservation. This means that
managing tourism impacts on the environment, including infrastructure development and visitor numbers
for things like the Alps to Ocean development can be a contentious issue. Conservation efforts may therefore
conflict with resource consent applications for land development and planning in the area to ensure the
protection of fragile ecosystems and endangered species (Addison, 2009; DOC, 2023; Mackay et al., 2018).
Conclusion:
The land use of the North Otago region has changed over the last 20 years with the addition of irrigation
schemes in the area enabling intensification of farming practices. Ensuring community involvement in future
land use and resource consent decisions is a critical issue for the North Otago region. This is important to
ensure a balance the interests of the various key stakeholders, such as farmers, residents, businesses,
environmental organisations, and local iwi.
Student ID: 2023002613 ENV403 Discussion Board 3 Word Count: 509

References:

Addison, V. (2009). Water allocation and the sustainability of dairying in the Upper Waitaki River Basin.
DOC. (2023). Upper Waitaki braided rivers. https://www.doc.govt.nz/nature/habitats/freshwater/upper-waitaki-
braided-rivers/
Houlbrooke, D., Littlejohn, R., Morton, J., & Paton, R. (2008). Effect of irrigation and grazing animals on soil quality
measurements in the North Otago Rolling Downlands of New Zealand. Soil Use and Management, 24(4),
416-423.
Mackay, M., Taylor, N., & Perkins, H. C. (2018). Planning for regeneration in the town of Oamaru. Lincoln Planning
Review, 9(1-2), 20-32.
McDowell, R., Van der Weerden, T., & Campbell, J. (2011). Nutrient losses associated with irrigation, intensification
and management of land use: A study of large scale irrigation in North Otago, New Zealand. Agricultural
Water Management, 98(5), 877-885.
ORC. (2005). Waireka Creek and Island Stream report. Otago Regional Council, Dunedin, New Zealand.
http://www.orc.govt.nz/Documents/ContentDocuments/env monitoring/water
reports/Waiareka%20Creek%20and%20Island%20Stream%20Report.pdf
Rae, S. (2022). Irrigation scheme focuses on environment. Retrieved 19/9 from https://www.odt.co.nz/rural-
life/irrigation-scheme-focuses-environment