Resources

Last updated: 17 April 2024

MBIE has a range of resources to help those impacted by the regulations understand their responsibilities.

Update to classifiable dam thresholds

The Government has responded to feedback from farmers that the cost of compliance with the new regulations is not proportionate to the risks smaller dams pose. As a result, changes have been made to the thresholds, meaning that fewer smaller dams will now be impacted by the regulations.

It is important that specialist engineering resources are focused on dams that represent the greatest risk to people and property downstream, and that owners of classifiable dams can efficiently meet their obligations under the regulations.

The new threshold requirement for dams impacted by the regulations is a height of 4 or more metres and stores 20,000 or more cubic metres volume of water, or other fluid.

The new regulations will no longer apply to dams that are less than four meters high. This aligns better with the building consent threshold, that is, if a dam owner doesn’t need a consent to build the dam, then it won’t need to be classified after construction.

Available resources

Webinar

Join the Building Performance team for a webinar about the new dam safety regulations which come into force on 13 May 2024. The webinar will cover recent changes to the size of dams impacted by the regulations, and the actions impacted dam owners need to take. There will also be an opportunity to ask questions.

Friday 12 April 2024, at 11am.

Dam safety regulations video

View video transcript

How to measure and calculate dam volume

A resource to help agricultural dam owners calculate the volume of their dam and understand if they are impacted by the regulations.

Measuring and calculating the height and volume of agricultural dams [PDF 8MB]

Infographic

A visual graphic showing the high-level key actions required by dam owners, engineers, and regional authorities.

Download an infographic summary of the provided dam safety guidance information [PDF 5.2MB]

Guidance document

A detailed guidance document to assist dam owners, technical practitioners, and regional authorities in the performance of their functions and duties, and in the exercise of their powers, if any.

Download the guidance document [PDF 15MB]

On-line learning module

An online interactive course to help dam owners understand if their dam is impacted by the regulations, and to provide more detail around the key actions required by dam owners, technical practitioners, and regional authorities.

Dam safety learning module - learning.building.govt.nz

Prescribed forms templates

Form templates that contain information that must be completed/provided by dam owners and submitted to regional authorities, under the regulations.

Dam classification certificate [PDF 89KB]

Dam safety assurance programme [PDF 85KB]

Annual dam compliance certificate [PDF 92KB]

Promotional and educational resources

The resources below can be used and shared by those impacted by the regulations, to help to raise awareness and understanding of the regulations.

The articles can be used in your publications, the images on your websites and social media channels and the posters and flyer can be printed.

When using the images on your website and social media channels, please provide a link to MBIE's Building Performance website, where further information and resources are available:

https://www.building.govt.nz/managing-buildings/dam-safety

The regulations come into force on 13 May 2024.

Resources promoting the threshold change

Article – Change to height and volume of dams impacted by the regulations [DOCX 21KB]

Image for social media 1080x1920 pixels [JPG 916KB]

Image for social media 1080x1080 pixels [JPG 639KB]

Image for website 820x315 pixels [JPG 186KB]

Image for website 1200x628 pixels [JPG 413KB]

Alternative (ALT) text for images: Building Performance. Text, "Do you still need to give a dam? Changes to the dam safety regulations mean smaller dams may no longer need to comply. Check if yours is still impacted." The Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment's logo and the New Zealand Government logo.

Poster (A3) for printing [PDF 4.4MB]

Poster (A4) for printing [PDF 1.4MB]

Flyer for printing [PDF 745KB]

Resources promoting the regulations

Article – Preparing for new dam safety responsibilities [DOCX 635KB]

Image for website 800x800pixels [JPG 450KB]

Image for website 800x420pixels [JPG 260KB]

Image for social media 1080x1080pixels [JPG 700KB]

Alternative (ALT) text for images: Building Performance. Text, "Do you own a property with a dam or pond? Check if new dam safety regulations impact you." The Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment's logo and the New Zealand Government logo.