Longwood Water Races Bylaw

The proposal, at a glance

South Wairarapa District Council (Council) is proposing a new bylaw to help protect and manage Featherston’s Longwood water race network. The new bylaw is proposed for several reasons, including that:

• the former bylaw, the Longwood Water Race Bylaw 1936, expired a few years ago; and
• in light of recent legislative changes, a new bylaw is considered necessary and appropriate in order to provide a modern, clear and practical framework to regulate the network.

The Longwood water race is a network of water races that extends for around 40 kilometres through the rural Featherston area. It supplies water to approximately 62 properties.

Water races have served local communities for more than a century. While many were originally constructed to provide water supply for livestock (and since then land uses have changed), they continue to support farming across the district and are an important part of our rural infrastructure.

The Longwood water race network is an important community asset with a long history of supporting agricultural productivity and rural development. It supports stock water supply, contributes to rural resilience during dry periods and assists with land management and drainage functions.

The regulation of water races has typically been achieved through bylaws adopted by local authorities. For the Longwood water race network, the Longwood Water Race Bylaw 1936 provided the primary legal and regulatory framework that addressed the operation and protection of the network. That bylaw expired a few years ago, which has led to this proposal to put in place a new bylaw.

We prepare bylaws for our community when we think it’s necessary to:

• protect the public from nuisance and damage to landscape and significant areas;
• maintain, promote and protect public health and safety, or
• minimise the potential for offensive behaviour in public places.

Have your say

Share your feedback before 5pm 9 November 2026.

We want to hear from you about what you think about the proposed Longwood Water Race Bylaw 2026, including any suggested changes or considerations you would like us to take into account. Supporting information, including the consultation document, proposed bylaw and FAQs can also be found on this page.

How to share your feedback

Online (preferred)
Complete the online survey linked at the bottom of this page.

Collect a paper form from:
› Featherston Library
› Council office at 19 Kitchener Street, Martinborough
The paper forms can be left at any of the above locations, or posted to
PO BOX 6, Martinborough 5741, addressed to 'Water Race Bylaw feedback’

Email
haveyoursay@swdc.govt.nz subject line ‘Water Race Bylaw feedback’

Present
You can present your feedback verbally at the hearings on 19 November, with or without making a written submission first. You can do this in person or via a live or recorded statement. Let us know in your feedback form if you wish to do a verbal presentation in person or online.