Low Intensity Properties

The Tukituki Plan Change 6 defines operations as ‘low intensity’ based on certain criteria. 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.

What is a low intensity farming operation?

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 (this is defined on our Stock Exclusion page), and
• 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, or
• has grazed forage crops.

Stock Unit Calculations

The definition of stock unit that HBRC uses are the same as those used in the Beef & Lamb survey. If stock are not listed here, the OVERSEER default units are used.

Low Intensity Check List