New dam safety regulations

If you own a property with a dam or a similar structure that retains water or some other fluid (such as dairy effluent), you should start thinking about the new dam safety regulations that come into force on 13 May 2024.

The new regulations are being introduced by the Ministry for Business, Employment and Innovation (MBIE). They're designed to provide a nationally consistent approach to dam safety, ensuring dams and similar structures are well-operated, maintained, and monitored.

They’re designed to reduce the impact on people, property, or the environment from incidents that could cause these kinds of structures to fail.