Good Management Practices for Freshwater

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Working to GMP standards puts your farm ahead of the game, and ahead of regulatory requirements, making you more resilient and better prepared for whatever changes come next.

Here, you’ll find a guide that outlines these primary sector–wide practices and offers practical ways they might apply on your farm.

Industry-agreed Good Management Practices (GMPs)

Useful links

Each primary sector has created specific guidance to help you understand and apply Good Management Practices.

Websites:

There are 21 industry-agreed Good Management Practices designed to improve water quality by reducing nitrogen, phosphorus, sediment, and faecal contaminants.

These practices were developed with input from farmers and a wide range of industry groups, including:

DairyNZ
Beef + Lamb NZ
Deer Industry NZ
NZ Pork
Horticulture NZ
The Foundation for Arable Research

By working together, with support from both central and local government, these primary sector groups agreed that adopting GMPs is not only efficient, it also reduces business risks and environmental impact.

"It's not just the right thing to do; it's also smart business". (DINZ Environmental Code of Practice 2018)

The Industry-agreed Good Management Practices Booklet(external link) (2015) was updated in 2018 to become the Good Farming Practice - Action Plan for Water Quality 2018 and can be downloaded here(external link). The 21 Industry Agreed GMPs are presented on page 4, and this structure is reflected in this guide.

➡️ NOTE: The terms GMPs and GFPs are used interchangeably by industries and mean the same thing.

Industry Guidance and Resources

Each primary sector has created specific guidance to help you understand and apply Good Management Practices. These guides include examples of records you’ll need to keep and practical tips for activities like winter grazing, managing Critical Source Areas (CSAs), and erosion-prone land.

You can find this information on your industry's website by searching “Good Management Practices” or “Code of Practice”.

The Deer, Pork, and Dairy sectors have also developed their own tailored documents based on GMPs. Links to these resources are available under the Useful Links tab at the top of this page.

Good Farming Practices - The Tasman Way

Tasman District Council supports Good Management Practices (GMPs) and recognises the great work farmers and growers are already doing to improve land management and protect freshwater.

These practices align with industry standards and form a strong foundation for Freshwater Farm Plans (FWFPs), helping safeguard Tasman’s land and waterways.

While GMPs set minimum standards nationwide, some catchments may need farmers to go further, especially where freshwater or ecosystem health is under pressure. In Tasman, two such areas are the Waimea Plains and the WAMARA, where farmers may need to meet higher standards.

➡️ If you're part of an Industry Assurance Programme, then you're in a good place!

Many industry-developed guides and Farm Environment Plans (FEPs) are built on these Good Management Practices (GMPs). For example:

DairyNZ uses GMPs in its Good farming practices for environmental management (external link)and these are reflected in Fonterra’s Tiaki plan.

Horticulture NZ applies GMP principles through its NZGAP - Environmental Management System(external link), adapted for horticulture-specific needs.

The Deer Industry’s Environmental Management (Code of Practice 2018)(external link) is based on GMPs, with extra measures for deer behaviour and impacts.

If you’re part of an Industry Assurance Programme, you’re likely already working towards meeting and demonstrating these GMPs.

A Farmers' Guide to Good Farm Practice in Tasman

This guide brings together all 21 industry-agreed Good Management Practices (GMPs) and groups them into six key management areas for easy reference.

1. General Principles - Farm Planning & Recording -	4. Land & Soil
2. Nutrients	5. Effluent & Wastewater
3. Waterways & Critical Source Areas	6. Water & Irrigation

How this Guide Works

Each management area is broken down into specific practices, with examples from different sectors showing how to put them into action, including any industry-specific requirements.

These examples come from primary sector guides (Dairy, Deer, Beef & Lamb, Horticulture) that outline what good environmental management looks like, highlight key focus areas, and show the information you can use to demonstrate compliance.

Links to these guides are available under ‘Useful Links’ at the top of this page.

What do I have to do?

Understand each GMP.
Assess what you're currently doing and how it compares to GMPs.
Identify and plan what you need to do to achieve GMP.
Determine what evidence you currently have for each GMP.
Gather any additional evidence you may need.

➡️ IMPORTANT:

Focus only on the GMPs that are relevant to your farm. If a particular GMP doesn’t apply. For example, if you don’t grow crops or use irrigation, then the practices related to those areas are simply not applicable.

You don't need to use every example listed to demonstrate a practice. You might be surprised at how many you're already following, and you may come up with even more.

General Principles - Farm Planning and Recording

Good Farming Practices help you identify and manage environmental risks on your farm. These General Principles guide you to assess risks, take action, and track progress, forming a strong foundation for your Freshwater Farm Plan (FWFP).

Find out more about the General Principles, including farm planning and records.

Nutrients

Healthy farms start with smart nutrient management. Nutrients from effluent, fertiliser, and feed are essential, but losses can cost you financially and harm the environment. By knowing where nutrients enter and leave your farm system, you can get the balance right, minimise losses, maximise returns, and protect waterways.

Find out more about Good Nutrient Management Practices

Waterways and Critical Source Areas

Keeping stock out of waterways is a win-win, your animals stay safe, and streams stay clean. But runoff from Critical Source Areas (CSAs) like stock camps, tracks, and grazing zones can still carry sediment, bacteria, and phosphorus into water. That’s why planning ahead and managing these areas when risk is highest makes all the difference.

Find out more about Good Farming Practices around Waterways and Critical Source Areas

Land and Soil

Your land and soil are the heart of your farm. When topsoil washes into waterways, it’s not just an expensive loss, it harms streams by causing discolouration, smothering habitats, and encouraging algal growth. The good news? Smart cultivation and grazing practices keep your soil healthy and where it belongs

Find out more about Good Land and Soil Management Practices

Effluent and Wastewater

Effluent management is all about getting it right. Start with a well-designed system, then make sure your application practices are spot-on. The goal is simple, minimise the risk of contaminants entering waterways from stored or applied Farm Dairy Effluent, keeping your farm productive and our environment healthy.

Find out more about Good Effluent and Wastewater Management Practices.

Water and Irrigation

A well-designed irrigation system makes farming easier. It’s efficient, reliable, and helps you apply water where it’s needed, matching soil type and plant needs. Poor irrigation can cause runoff and drainage, washing away valuable nutrients into ground and surface waters. Smart design keeps your farm productive and waterways healthy.

Find out about Good Water and Irrigation Management Practices.