During the winter of 2024 (June–August), input was directly sought from ngā iwi o Te Tauihu, as well as from government agencies, the Council, and community organisations with an interest in the Waimea River Park (the Park). Businesses leasing Council land within the Park were also given the opportunity to contribute, along with the wider community through Shape Tasman.

For ngā iwi, the river holds deep spiritual significance. The importance of a healthy river and clean water to sustain species, and the need for a ki uta ki tai (catchment-wide) approach to river management, were strongly reinforced. Concerns were raised about constraints on the river’s natural movement due to interventions such as bank armouring and stopbanks. Ngā iwi also requested that potentially harmful activities—such as gravel extraction and processing, intensive agriculture and horticulture near the river, and the dumping of rubbish—be stopped or strictly controlled.

Several government and Council organisations contributed to the Plan. The Department of Conservation emphasised the relevance of existing Reserves General Policies and highlighted the legal requirement to complete the protection process for the Waimea Community Dam mitigation planting area. This requirement was also reinforced by the Biodiversity Technical Advisory Group for the Waimea Community Dam. The NZ Transport Agency and Fire and Emergency NZ expressed limited interest, focused mainly on maintaining essential access to bridge infrastructure and water supplies. Te Whatu Ora’s National Public Health Service offered a range of suggestions to ensure that the Park supports community health, especially through well-designed recreational infrastructure.

Nearby Appleby School expressed a strong connection with the river. Students participate in a variety of extracurricular activities that support river conservation and restoration, fostering a deep sense of ownership and care for the Park.

Several leaseholders within the Park also provided feedback. Alongside offering helpful background, most supported the continued value of their leases and expressed a desire for renewal. Some also advocated for expanded agricultural uses, such as viticulture.

Various conservation and recreation organisations participated as well. Most emphasised the ecological value of the Park—especially at the delta—and the importance of restoring habitats such as wetlands, riparian margins, and alluvial podocarp forests. They also noted the relationship between upstream river management and downstream impacts on the internationally significant Waimea Inlet. Concerns included contamination from historic landfills, animal effluent, weed transport, and excessive sedimentation.

Fish & Game NZ and the Sport Fishing for Youth Charitable Trust reinforced the importance and success of the sport fishing ponds and advocated for continued support. Fish & Game also expressed interest in continuing gamebird hunting and exploring new hunting areas, as some traditional sites have become unsuitable due to increased visitor use.

Recreation organisations—including those representing walking, biking, horse riding, fishing, jetboating, and motorbike and four-wheel-drive clubs—were consulted. Each group requested adequate provision for their activities and appropriate management of conflicts and negative impacts caused by other users.

General community feedback, echoed many of these themes, supporting allowing space for the river, habitat restoration, control of commercial activities like gravel extraction, control of dumping and other contamination risks, as well as the provision of a range of recreational opportunities including horseriding.