Bishop doubles down against PC1 adoption, Waikato farming figures want certainty

Wednesday, 22 July 2026

Minister Chris Bishop says he would like an amendment to be investigated, but remained tight-lipped over what it would look like.

Minister Chris Bishop is suggesting further law changes to sort farming concerns over the contentious Plan Change 1 (PC1) legislation, spurring reaction from prominent Waikato figures in the sector.

Bishop has been vocal in the past criticising the plan, and on Monday said the Government “may address this issue through a further amendment”.

When asked by Waikato Times about what an amendment would look like however, he remained coy.

Bishop and minister Todd McClay (left) faced a wave of questions from Waikato farmers at Mystery Creek earlier this month.

“PC1 is landing at the same time as the Government is fundamentally reforming New Zealand's planning system,” Bishop said in response.

“It doesn't make sense for farmers and growers to spend time and money implementing PC1 when the wider system is being replaced. We will provide certainty about the Government’s response well before any new requirements take effect.

Developed over years by Waikato Regional Council, PC1 is designed to reduce nitrogen, phosphorus, sediment and bacterial contamination entering rivers.

‘I don’t think the Government can afford to not step in and make siginifcant changes,’ Federated Farmers Waikato region Chris Woolerton says.

Many farmers and growers, however, have voiced concerns they’ll lose control over their own land as well as facing pressure from already changing requirements.

Federated Farmers Waikato region president Chris Woolerton said it’s great to hear Bishop signalling Government has heard the concerns, but stood firm farmers won’t believe it until they see it.

Woolerton says the impact on farmers and growers alike will flow on into availability and prices of fresh produce for everyday Kiwis.

He added the current situation is “completely unworkable,” and the flow on effect could not only impact them but everyday Kiwi households.

“The Government are saying all the right things at the moment and farmers like their signalled direction of travel, but we really need to see some concrete action. To do nothing simply wouldn't fly politically with Waikato farmers and our rural communities,” he said.

Waikato Regional councillor Chris Hughes is more confident in PC1 than he was 12 months ago.

“PC1 has really unsettled Waikato farmers. It's created huge uncertainty for the future and that will be weighing very heavily on the sector's confidence… we need to see detail.”

Regional councillor Chris Hughes was originally not a fan of the plan, saying it could have negative effects on the local economy.

However, changes changes to the final version released by the Environment Court has made it 'much more user-friendly'. He added it was signalled by ministers Bishop and McClay they were 'prepared to intervene' if potential for a negative impact on the Waikato economy rose.

While Hughes said minister Bishop was “absolutely right” in his assessment of PC1’s timing, he asked farmers to be patient and comply to what’s needed to improve the environment.

“Farmers have got a tough enough job as it is… it’s our responsibility to make sure we’re not making their jobs harder than it already is.”

“We [council] need to be patient and the big thing is to make sure we don’t empower our team to implement PC1 until we fully understand the implications of the new legislation.”

In response, Woolerton said farmers have “no issue” surrounding improving environmental plans, calling out the impracticality of the rules, the cost and the unnecessary duplication across national and local regulations as the culprits.

“The great irony of PC1 is that while these rules have taken over a decade to work their way through the court, farmers have just got on with the job that needed to be done.”