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Freshwater Management Units

The National Policy Statement for Freshwater Management directs regional councils to identify areas called Freshwater Management Units (FMUs). FMUs will be key spatial units for freshwater management in the region.

Learn about your FMU

Stream in Horizons region

What is Oranga Wai?

Oranga Wai | Our Freshwater Future is how Horizons Regional Council has chosen to represent all of the policy and regulation work streams included in the central government’s Essential Freshwater package.

Lake Horowhenua with the Tararua Ranges in the background

Te Mana o te Wai

Te Mana o te Wai refers to the fundamental importance of water and recognises that protecting the health of freshwater protects the health and wellbeing of the wider environment.

Graphic illustration of a braided river

Have your say on the top spots

We want to know what freshwater spots you swim, kayak or raft in across the region. We also want to know what places you think are outstanding, and whether the way we make decisions on outstanding water bodies is right.

Map showing Freshwater Management Units and waterways in the Horizons region

Freshwater Management Units

Freshwater Management Units (FMUs) will change the way we manage freshwater in our region.

Horizons Regional Council monitoring environmental data at a river

What the science tells us

Horizons collects environmental data and initiates research that informs decision making around policy and regulation to ensure that we all manage our activities in a sustainable way.

Trout fisher at Pohangina River

Want to know more?

Keep up to date with the latest news, get quick answers to your questions with our FAQs, or learn the definitions of key terms using our glossary.