Bore Permit

Drilling, construction and alteration of bores requires a bore permit, as these are Controlled activities in the Regional Resource Management Plan. Bores must be cased and sealed to prevent aquifer cross-connection and leakage from the surface into groundwater. 

Important: a Bore Permit is NOT a resource consent to take groundwater from the well - see also 'Taking Water'

Before you apply, also read:

Technical Information – Bores

Conditions for each bore permit are:

• All works and structures relating to this resource consent shall be designed and constructed to conform to the best engineering practices and maintained to a safe and serviceable standard at all times.
• The consent holder shall keep such records and provide information, as set out under ‘records for the drilling’ below, to Hawke’s Bay Regional Council within one month of the bore being completed.
• All bores to be used for water supply must be fitted with an effective valve to regulate the flow and must have adequate facility and access for the purpose of measuring water level and pressure.

You must be active in ensuring that there is no cross-connection.  Failure to do so may result in degradation of water quality that others depend on. Enforcement action may be taken by the Regional Council if a bore is found to be inadequately maintained and managed leading to contamination. Your well driller can advise on bore security and decommissioning; well drillers are listed in the Yellow Pages of the phone book.

Application Forms

Applications can be lodged via email to the consentadvisor@hbrc.govt.nz or physically to any of our offices, please check the front page of your applications Form A for full lodgement instructions.

Application Form - Drill a Bore.

A deposit must accompany the application when it is submitted.

Contact Us

 You can contact Consents Advisor  +64 6 835 9200 consentadvisor@hbrc.govt.nz with any questions about the consenting process.

A resource consent is a legal document. Keep it in a safe place and check it regularly to be sure you are fully aware of conditions.