Low Intensity Properties

The Tukituki Plan Change 6 defines operations as ‘low intensity’ based on certain criteria (see below). If a property or operation meet these criteria, a farm plan is not required. However, properties that meet the ‘low intensity’ criteria should fill out the ‘Low intensity farm’ form. This will enable the Regional Council to establish a record of those properties that don't require a farm plan, and therefore don't need to be followed up by compliance.

A farming enterprise that is considered to be ‘low intensity’ has:

• Between 4 and 10 ha in operation (within or shared between properties)
• no more than 8 stock units* per hectare
• permanent horticultural and viticultural crops (such as orchards, vineyards) and lifestyle properties

A property is not considered ‘low intensity’ if it is between 4ha -10ha and:

• used for the production of rotational vegetable crop
• a dairy farm
• has grazed forage crops

Stock unit calculations 

The definition of stock unit that the Regional Council uses are the same as those used in the Beef & Lamb survey. If stock are not listed here, the OverseerFM default units are used. OverseerFM is an agricultural management tool that assists in understanding nutrient use and movements on a farm which can help landowners optimise production and environmental outcomes. Overseer is owned and administered by the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI), the Fertiliser Association of New Zealand and Ag Research.

Low Intensity Check List