Local Body Reorganisation vs. The Environment
The structures that emerge from local body reorganisation are one thing, but the legislation they will operate under is crucial in setting the standards they will use to protect the environment, and under which individuals and advocacy groups will be able to submit on or challenge consents.
Resource Management Act (1991) reform through the Planning Bill and Natural Environment Bill is one concern for groups like Forest and Bird but they, along with the Waikato River Authority and Tainui iwi are also concerned about challenges to environmental protections established through recent changes to Regional Plans.
Read More
How might local government reform impact the Lake Taupō and Waikato River Catchment?
Taupō District Council has opted out of inclusion in any Head Start local body reorganisation proposal, but of more importance to the health of the environment say a number of experienced local body politicians, are what is happening with reform to the RMA and central government challenges to regional council moves to protect lakes and waterways.
If the Planning Bill and Natural Environment Bill don’t provide sufficient protection for the environment and work to prevent climate damage, environmental advocates are back to being the ambulance at the bottom of the cliff, says Forest and Bird Waikato Regional Conservation Manager Elvisa Van der Leden…
Read More
Local Government Reforms: TDC and LTPP
Taupō District Council is considering several merger options. However, we have some concerns regarding who will continue the waterway protections in the future. This meeting (5:15pm 16 July at the Waiora House) aims to discuss the LTPT and the Waikato River in the context of amalgamation and RMA reforms.
Read More
RMA Reforms and LTPP Presentation
Proposed changes to environmental laws and organisational restructuring provides uncertainty for the continued protection of highly valued environmental features, such as Lake Taupō. Specifically, as the Lake Taupō Protection Project (LTPP) was designed to protect the lake’s water quality in perpetuity, these changes may affect the project partners and existing environmental standard guidance.
Read More
2026 AGM Announcement
Join us for the AGM on 20 May 2026 from 5:15 to 7:00 pm at Waiora House or online!
Read More
Nitrogen Discharge to Lake Taupo in TDC Wastewater: October 2025 Update
Taupo District Council’s contributions to Lake Taupo Protection include management of numerous wastewater treatment plants to control nitrogen discharge. In 2006, a nitrogen discharge was set for the eight treatment plants in the Lake Taupo catchment (Figure 1). All-in-all, the lake’s good status since 2006 has come from TDC’s excellent efforts on wastewater treatment.
Read More
The long view of lake protection (Taupō and Tūrangi News)
Continued and concerted effort is required from both local and central government and large rural landowners including private farmers, and Ngāti Tūwharetoa which had been an active participant in the process from the outset, he says. Past, present and future efforts to look after Lake Taupō through the Lake Taupō Protection Project (LTPP) will be presented by Paul on August 28.
Read More
TDC Consideration of Joint Committee Recommendation – Joint Management Agreement (JMA) with Tūwharetoa Māori Trust Board
TDC will meet on the 31st July to consider the recommendation from the Joint Committee to approve the Joint Management Agreement (JMA) between the Tūwharetoa Māori Trust Board and Taupō District Council, regarding the restoration and protection of the health and wellbeing of Taupō Moana and the Upper Waikato River.
Read More
‘Taupo Beef’: The ‘Why’, the ‘How’ and the ‘Now’ July 2025
Iconic local brand - Taupo Beef have called it a day.
Read More
TLAW hosting 'Invasive Gold Clam' update - Waiora House 5.15 pm Thursday 19th June
Taupō Lakes and Waterways are excited to be hosting a public forum on the serious biosecurity threat to Taupō waterways – the Invasive Gold Clam (Corbicula).
Read More
Government consulting on proposals to amend NPS Freshwater Management
Submissions are invited on proposals to update national direction for 1) infrastructure, development and the 2) primary sector and on 3) options to amend freshwater national direction, and test how housing proposals could fit into the new resource management system. Submissions due July 27 https://consult.environment.govt.nz/resource-management/freshwater-national-direction/
Read More
Concerns about Lake Taupō pollution under proposed blanket national wastewater standards May 2025
Waikato Regional Council's Mike Scarsbrook said it was like setting one speed limit for every road in the country - some might end up safer, but others would be made more dangerous.
One area which needed higher than average standards was Lake Taupō.
Read More
Taupō District Council consultation 'Our Water, Our Future' subs due 29 May 2025
The Government has introduced its Local Water Done Well legislation, replacing the previous government’s water reform programme.
Read More
MPI Update On Corbicula (Gold Clam) Long-term Management March 2025
The response to the invasive freshwater clam Corbicula fluminea has transitioned to long-term management under the Freshwater Biosecurity Partnership Programme. Check Clean Dry advocacy work for the next summer update: Budgets for the 25/26 year are still to be confirmed. MPI hope to be in the same position as last year where they could provide seed funding to regions for a Check Clean Dry advocacy contract. There is one contract per region, however Waikato has had two contracts because of need. Last summer Tuwharetoa Māori Business Trust and DOC undertook the Check Clean Dry advocacy contract Taupo. They have expressed they intend to do the same again. See more here, including latest on treatment of the Taupō Aqua Park.
Read More
TLAW April 24 Meeting & AGM ‘Lake Taupō Protection from a Rural Perspective’ - Ruby Mulinder
5.15 pm at Waiora House - Ruby will speak to farm ownership, sheep dairying and more.
See more below
Read More
Significant rain event in Taupō ('news' from TDC website) 8 Feb 2025
Get in touch with your stories here: info@taupolakesandwaterways.org.nz
And see our February 20 agenda here: ‘TDC FORESHORE & EROSION STRATEGY & DELIVERY, & RESERVE MANAGEMENT’ – Greg Hadley
A significant rain event occurred in Taupō yesterday afternoon which resulted in surface flooding, slips, a tomo and an increase in volumes discharging through Taupō District Council's Taupō Wastewater Treatment Plant, due to rainwater infiltrating the wastewater network.
Read More
Taupō Lakes and Waterways farewells longtime Trustee Laurie Burdett
Taupō Lakes and Waterways are sad to farewell Laurie who has been part of the water quality and environmental advocacy community for many decades. Laurie has written and presented numerous submissions and, of course, represented Taupō as a Regional Councillor. Most recently she assisted with the review of the group’s strategic directions. Thanks to Chris Mashall at the Taupō & Tongariro News for writing this tribute to Laurie and giving us all the opportunity to hear about her mahi and her commitment to our environment in her own words.
Read More
'WRC REGIONAL PLAN UDATE; STORMWATER, INCLUDING GULLIES’ Freshwater Policy Team Leader, Naomi Crawford & staff
Taupō Lakes and Waterways are beginning our ‘2025 Summer Series’ at 5.15pm Thursday January 30th with WRC’s Regional Plan Update specifically relating to Stormwater and Ephemeral Gully planning and management.
Read More
Waikato Regional Council invests $414k to fight invasive gold clam Dec 2024 - more information here:
Invasive Clams Forum - Taupo Turangi Herald information including; essential actions: ‘Vigilance from the community in following ‘check, clean, dry’ requirements and in reporting any potential sightings’… and more.
Read More
Focus on Golden Clams Forum Monday 25th November 5 pm
Taupō Lakes & Waterways are co-hosting an Aquatic Biodiversity Forum with REAP Central Plateau outlining the critical threat to our waterways from the Freshwater Golden Clam.
Read More