Canterbury farmer urges government to act as consent costs spiral

Mid Canterbury farmer David Clark says a transition is required between the old RMA rules and the incoming new legislation. Photo: Supplied

A Mid Canterbury farmer wants the government to live up to its word and help farmers who are "wasting" large sums of money on a consent process in limbo.

It has been seven weeks since David Clark decided to go public on his frustration with the resource consent process and its "outrageous costs".

Clark said he has since heard from many other farming families "facing the same, or worse situation than us".

"We all know the problem. We all acknowledge the need for a solution," Clark said.

Clark said Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has repeatedly said his government backed farmers and is calling on him to "act on those words".

The government's planned Resource Management Act (RMA) reforms must start with an urgent pause on the enforcement of consenting rules - sentiment that was supported by Deputy Prime Minister David Seymour and Act MP Andrew Hoggard on a recent visit to his farm.

"It is utter madness for farming families to be expected to continue wasting these large sums of money on a process that will be redundant, or significantly changed in the near future.

"The solution is an extension to all existing consents until the new rules are in place."

Clark has a mixed arable, seed, and livestock operation near Ashburton that has held a consent since 2017 and was awarded an A-grade environmental audit in 2024.

He estimated he will spend about $60,000 to get to the mid-point in the process of seeking consent to continue farming, and is facing between $200,000-300,000 if his application is fully publicly notified and requires a hearing.

Mid Canterbury farmers met with Deputy Prime Minister David Seymour and Act MP Andrew Hoggard in September. [From left] Colin Hurst, Ian McKenzie, Andrew Hoggard, David Clark, David Seymour, Kate Ackland, David Ackland, Terry Clark and Phill Everest. Photo: Supplied

His comments follow a Federated Farmers survey released last week that showed four out of five farmers are worried about gaining or renewing consents.

Federated Farmers freshwater spokesperson Colin Hurst said the findings reveal a "damning picture of a system that's simply not working".

"Our survey makes for incredibly sobering reading, as it's shown us the true scale of the consenting problems," Hurst said.

"It was staggering to learn the average bill across the country for gaining a new consent has hit nearly $45,000 and renewal permits were averaging $28,000.

"It's even worse for Canterbury farmers, who are forking out over $60,000.

"The whole process has become so uncertain and complex that most farmers now must rely entirely on consultants and expert advisors."

With thousands of consents due to expire in the coming months, Hurst said the situation is urgent and requires immediate action.

"How are [farmers] supposed to have the confidence to keep investing in their businesses if they don't even know whether they'll be allowed to keep farming next year?"

RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop said the government is giving active consideration to the transition from the old RMA system to the new system.

"Mr Clark can rest assured that he and others in a similar situation are being heard," Bishop said.

"We will have more to say in the coming weeks as the new legislation and framework is released."

The new system is expected before Parliament by December, with plans to pass it into law by mid-2026 and take effect by 2027.

Regional councils must continue operating under current law until then.

In early October, Bishop sent a letter to regional councils requesting they use "sensible judgement" in managing consents until the new legislation was in place.

In his letter, Bishop said he expected councils to be "seeking opportunities to streamline consenting processes, reduce onerous requirements wherever possible, and ease the consenting burden".

Environment Canterbury responded in a letter, from then chairperson Craig Pauling, deputy chair Deon Swiggs, and chief executive Stefanie Rixecker, that expressed support with the Government's reform agenda.

ECan said it was taking practical steps to improve consenting processes while upholding its statutory duties, and welcomed a meeting with Ministers to discuss details of the transition plan.

Bishop said officials will be engaging with ECan as part of discussing and preparing for the transition.

"I don't intend to meet with every regional council - it simply isn't practical," Bishop said.

LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.