Waikato Regional Council's Plan Change 1 would force thousands of farmers to get costly consents just to carry out normal farm work. It threatens food production, jobs, and the wider economy in one of New Zealand’s most productive regions. The Council hasn’t even measured the true economic cost.

Because PC1 stems from a Treaty settlement, the Government cannot step in to stop it. That means the only way forward is for the Council to pause the process, properly assess the impact, and put ratepayers first. A pause will give the Government time to replace the Resource Management Act, requiring councils like WRC to recast their plans to respect property rights.