Rotorua farmers pleased with Government contribution to nitrogen reduction scheme
Farmers in the Lake Rotorua catchment were relieved to hear confirmation on Monday that the Government will fund half of
a $48 million scheme to reduce nitrogen losses from pastoral land around the lake. This money had been budgeted for
“in-lake” actions so there is no additional cost to taxpayers and ratepayers who share the cost equally. The scheme is
part of a wider effort to improve water quality in Lake Rotorua by reducing nutrient inputs – both nitrogen and
phosphorus – from urban, rural and natural sources.
Rotorua farmers are working with the Bay of Plenty Regional Council and other stakeholders to develop draft rural land
use rules around nitrogen. Those rules will target a 140 tonne nitrogen reduction by 2032, in addition to an incentive
scheme target of 100 tonnes.
Wendy Roe, Chairperson of the Lake Rotorua Primary Producers Collective, points out that the lake nitrogen target means
nitrogen losses from pastoral land need to be halved, a higher reduction than anywhere else in New Zealand.
“It is an ambitious target but we’re optimistic that we can keep our farms viable and protect the lake. Many farmers
have already taken practical actions to reduce nutrient losses with all streams fenced off and stream banks planted up.
Farmers are using innovative methods such as stand-off pads and sediment detention bunds”, says Wendy.
Rotorua farmers are keen on scientifically sound solutions. Low nitrogen fertiliser rates are being trialled locally
with help from central government’s Sustainable Farming Fund, the regional council, DairyNZ and Ballance Agri-nutrients.
You can learn more about the trial results and how to manage nutrient hot-spots at a field day on 6th May at Parekarangi
Trust farm, 560 State Highway 30, 10.45am – 1.30pm.
“We also need ongoing farmer input to make sure the new nitrogen rules are workable and fair”, says Wendy. “Our farmer
Collective is having its AGM on 20th May at Ngongotaha Hall, 6.30-9.00pm. We will have a presentation on the potential
costs of meeting the draft rules. It’s a good opportunity for farmers hear about and debate the issues before we get to
the more formal Resource Management Act processes. We need to get this right!”
The Lake Rotorua Primary Producers Collective is a group of 35 dairy, beef, sheep and deer farmers working to protect
their farm viability while reducing nutrient loss from pastoral land.
Field day details:
You can learn more about the trial results and how to manage nutrient hot-spots on Tuesday, 6 May at Parekarangi Trust
farm, 560 State Highway 30, 10.45am – 1.30pm.
Lake Rotorua Primary Producers Collective Annual General Meeting:
Ngongotaha Hall, 6.30-9.00pm.
Ends