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Water allocation

Water Permits

Activities requiring Water Permits

You may need a water permit(section 14, RMA) if your proposed activity involves taking, using, damming or diverting water in any of the following ways:

  • taking or using water from a river, stream, lake, spring, well or bore (except for an individuals reasonable domestic water needs or stock drinking water supply, or for fire -fighting
  • damming water in a watercourse
  • diverting surface water (e.g. by piping or bridging, or by re-aligning a watercours
  • diverting groundwater (e.g. by Excavation below the water table).


Permitted activities that do not require a Water Permit include:


TAKING AND USING SURFACE WATER (EXCLUDING FROM DAMS) Chapter 6 Rules: 6.5.7 & 6.5.8

DRILLING Permitted Activities Chapter 6 Rules: 6.5.18, 6.5.19, 6.5.20, 6.5.21 & 6.5.22(

TAKING AND USING GROUNDWATER Permitted Activities Chapter 6 Rules: 6.5.27, 6.5.28, 6.5.29, 6.5.30, 6.5.31 & 6.5.32

DAMMING SURFACE WATER Permitted Activities Chapter 6 Rules: 6.5.46, 6.5.47, 6.5.48, 6.5.49 & 6.5.50

TAKING AND USING WATER IMPOUNDED BY DAMS Permitted Activities Chapter 6 Rules: 6.5.63 & 6.5.64

DIVERTING GROUNDWATER Permitted Activities Chapter 6 Rule: 6.5.68


Taking Water for Domestic and Animal Drinking Purposes

Generally, taking and using water for either domestic purposes or for water supply for animal drinking can be done as-of-right from all rivers, streams, springs, dams and bores in the Auckland Region. No resource consent is required, so long as the location and rate of the water taking does not adversely affect any lawfully established takes. If the water source is not on your property, then you will require the permission of the owner. Taking water to cool milk or to hose down yard areas and animal housing is not covered by this provision.

Applying for a Water Permit

Chapter 10 of the Proposed Auckland Regional Plan: Air, Land and Water discusses applications for a resource consent:

  • Section 10.1 describes the categories of activity in the Plan: Permitted, Controlled, Discretionary (including Restricted Discretionary), Non-complying and Prohibited.
  • Section 10.2 explains the process of making an application. 
  • Section 10.3 explains the matters that Section 88(4) of the RMA requires in an application. Any assessment of effects accompanying a controlled or limited discretionary activity application need only address those matters over which the ARC is exercising its control. It is recommended that you discuss this aspect of your application with a staff member. 
  • Section 10.4 and 10.5 explain the processing of applications by the ARC and the notification of applications.

Application form for a water permit

Download a Water Permit application form here

Continue to Complying with your Water Permit