16 December 2025
Gisborne District Council notifies the following Water Shortage Directions under s329 of the Resource Management Act 1991 (RMA).
1. Relates to the present temporary shortage of water from the Taruheru Surface Water Quantity Zone.
Taruheru Surface Water Quantity Zone
- Includes the Taruheru River, its tributaries and any groundwater (commonly accessed via bores) known to be directly linked to the Taruheru River.
- There is no aquifer formally named “Taruheru Aquifer”, but this restriction covers connected groundwater sources.
- The Notice does not apply to deep aquifers (Makauri, Matokitoki), shallow aquifers (Te Hapara Sands), or aquifers within the Waipaoa Surfacewater Quantity Zone.
The direction is issued and subject to the following conditions:
1. all taking/use/damming/diversion of water from the Taruheru Surface Water Quantity Zone for irrigation, either authorised by consent or permitted activity rule (other than as provided for below), must cease for the duration of this notice.
2. water for reasonable household domestic needs and reasonable drinking needs of stock can continue to be taken during this time. This is to provide for public health and the welfare of stock.
3. water cannot be taken for non-essential household or domestic activities including, but not limited to, garden watering, filling of swimming pools, water blasting and washing of cars, vehicles, boats and machinery.
This Water Shortage Direction applies from 16 December 2025 and will continue for 14 days, until 30 December 2025.
Failure to comply with this Direction may constitute an offence under the RMA.
Gisborne District Council may amend, revoke or renew this Water Shortage Direction (by subsequent direction) at any time.
Should the low water levels across the Taruheru Surface Water Quantity Zone continue, it is likely that this direction will be renewed. Terms and conditions may change upon renewal.
2. Relates to the present temporary shortage of water from the Mangaheia River and its tributaries.
Mangaheia River
- Includes the Mangaheia River, its tributaries and any groundwater likely to be directly linked to the river.
- There are no named aquifers in this area other than the Tolaga Bay Aquifer.
The direction is issued and subject to the following conditions:
1. all taking/use/damming/diversion of water from the Mangaheia River and its tributaries for irrigation, either authorised by consent or permitted activity rule (other than as provided for below), must cease for the duration of this notice.
2. water for reasonable household domestic needs and reasonable drinking needs of stock can continue to be taken during this time. This is to provide for public health and the welfare of stock.
3. water cannot be taken for non-essential household or domestic activities including, but not limited to, garden watering, filling of swimming pools, water blasting and washing of cars, vehicles, boats and machinery.
This Water Shortage Direction applies from 16 December 2025 and will continue for 14 days, until 30 December 2025.
Failure to comply with this Direction may constitute an offence under the RMA.
Gisborne District Council may amend, revoke or renew this Water Shortage Direction (by subsequent direction) at any time.
Should the low water levels across the Mangaheia River and its tributaries continue, it is likely that this direction will be renewed. Terms and conditions may change upon renewal.