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Notification of forestry activities

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Under the NES-CF, permitted forestry activities still require notification to the regional council. The timeframes for notification have been amended. The previous timeframes of from 20 days and no more than 60 working days may not apply in all situations.

To determine the specific requirements of notification and management plans, please view the Resource Management (National Environmental Standards for Commercial Forestry) Amendment Regulations 2023.

If your activity is not permitted under the NES regulations, please don't use this form.  You will need to apply for resource consent.

To notify Waikato Regional Council of a proposed activity

Step 1

Download and complete the editable PDF, below. 

IMPORTANT: To edit a PDF you'll also need to have Acrobat Reader. Make sure you save this document out to your desktop before you start editing! If you start editing in the original version, your answers and changes won't save.

Step 2

Waikato Regional Council requests all relevant management plans to accompany notifications as a matter of best practice. Ideally you will also supply a copy of a map or aerial photo at the requisite scale that shows the location of the activities. Is so, please ensure you have copies of all of these saved, ready to attach with your notification form.

Step 3

Email your completed form and attached information back to us, at RM.Requests@waikatoregion.govt.nz

Monitoring costs

Monitoring of permitted activities under the National Environmental Standard for Commercial Forestry (NES-CF) pursuant to Part 3, Regulation 106 will be charged on an actual and reasonable cost basis.

Actual and reasonable costs for monitoring will be directly charged according to the following formula:
Charge = (staff time x charge rate) + direct costs including disbursements.

Costs incurred will be charged on an ongoing basis as they occur, unless otherwise agreed by Waikato Regional Council.

Waikato Regional Council may fix specific amounts to be charged for monitoring activities undertaken under the NES-CF and require forestry operators to pay the full charge towards monitoring the activity prior to monitoring of the activity to be undertaken. The authorisation holder will pay for costs incurred on an ongoing basis as they occur, unless otherwise agreed by Waikato Regional Council.

A safety campaign message from Worksafe:

Harvesting is a hazardous occupation that requires notification to Worksafe at least 24 hours prior to the start of activity.  Notify here: Notification of Particular Hazardous Work (worksafe.govt.nz)

If you are unsure of what you need to do when undertaking tree felling or harvesting, a checklist can be found here:  Woodlot harvesting on farms | WorkSafe