Plan Change 25 (PC25) seeks to amend provisions in the rural zone of the Operative Waipā District Plan, relating to the protection of crops to manage:
- establishment and maintenance of shelterbelts
- construction and location of crop protection structures (artificial crop protection structures, artificial screens and crop support structures) associated with farming activities, mainly horticulture.
The intent of PC25 is to provide greater certainty on how crop protection (crop structures and shelterbelts) can occur in the Rural Zone.
From September to October 2024, the Council had conversations with stakeholders and engaged with the community on the topic of Artificial Crop Protection Structures and Shelterbelts. NZKGI submitted on the draft proposal.
The draft of proposal was updated in January 2025 based on stakeholder feedback and engagement. The Council notified PC25 on 15 January 2026. NZKGI and Horticulture NZ jointly submitted on the proposal.
The submissions on PC25 outline support for the proposal only where rules properly recognise the realities of a working rural environment and avoid unnecessary loss of productive land. It highlights growers’ concerns about reverse sensitivity, large setbacks, and inconsistent treatment of artificial crop protection structures and shelterbelts.
The submissions call for clearer definitions, more practical and flexible rules, and incentives such as hedges to reduce visual effects while maximising land use on highly productive soils. Overall, NZKGI seeks planning provisions that balance amenity with efficient primary production and align with the intent of the National Policy Statement for Highly Productive Land.
Submissions closed on 20 February 2026. Next steps are to be confirmed.
