Te tono i te whakaaetanga poka puna wai Apply for a permit to drill a bore

Water permits are commonly needed for taking and using ground water for purposes such as irrigation. You may also need to apply for a permit to drill a bore for taking water.

• The location of your drill site and total property area.
• A map reference in New Zealand Transverse Mercator (NZTM) format.
• A locality plan or aerial photo at 1.500 scale.
• Details of the agent, consultant or drilling contractor.
• Details about how the water will be used.
• Estimated quantities of water to be taken (maximum daily quantity cubic metres per day and annual quantity cubic metres per year).
• The number of proposed bores (with separate sheets if there are multiple bores showing the site locations and map references).
• A site plan including the location of:
  • the proposed bore or well
  • all bores within 200m of the drilling site
  • where the water is to be used
  • existing and proposed underground services, including public drains in close proximity to bore site
  • land use within 50m of drilling site
  • road frontage and names
  • septic tanks, offal pits, potential contaminated sites or waste disposal areas within 150m of the proposed bore or well.
• The proposed construction details including:
  • bore diameter (casing diameter)
  • bore depth
  • casing depth
  • casing materials
  • depth to top of screen
  • depth to bottom of screen
  • screen materials
  • proposed grouting length.
• The predominant geology (aquifer) into which the bore will be screened.
• Information on alternative water sources available (if applicable).
• A completed resource consent declaration form if you are not an approved credit account customer.

You should include details if the proposed bore is in:

• an area known to have flowing or artesian characteristics
• reasonable proximity of archaeological or cultural features, aspects of significance to Māori or tangata whenua, natural heritage features, geological features, or features with significant natural heritage or conservation values
• a wetlands management area (as identified in schedule one of the Auckland Council Regional Plan: Air, Land and Water [PDF 138KB]).

We only accept online applications for a  bore water permit. 

If you cannot apply online, visit one of our libraries with council services for help with your online application.

Visit Ways to pay online for information on all payment options.

If there is no way to provide digital copies of your plans or documents, visit one of our libraries with council services. Our staff will accept your documents for an additional charge. The charge covers costs involved with us scanning your documents into our digital consent system.

Call us on 09 301 0101 to speak with our building and planning help desk if you have questions regarding your application.

You need to apply for a permit to drill a bore for investigative purposes.

You can download and complete our form for a permit to drill, alter, replace or decommission a hole or bore.

Email rcregulatorysupportcentral2@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz with your completed form.

We maintain a comprehensive record of bores in the region. Before drilling an investigative bore, you can order a custom report for bores or water take Taking or removing fresh water or coastal water from its source. consents. Visit Order a custom resource consent report for more information.