Water
The management of freshwater resources in New Zealand in crisis. Our rivers and lakes face multiple pressures, with increased pollution from agriculture, horticulture and sewerage, combined with increased demand for irrigation, industry and urban use. Water quality is declining across the country and some rivers and streams have even dried up. Effluent run-off from industrial dairying has rendered most of our lowland rivers and lakes unsafe for swimming: 70% in the Waikato. On top of this, climate change is predicted to impact even further upon our river systems, bringing changes in rainfall patterns and increased frequency of flooding and drought events.New Zealanders perceive water to be our #1 environmental problem.
We can do a much better job of looking after our precious freshwater resources; to support the ecosystems and species that are dependant on them, ensure we can meet our current and future needs, and protect our economy. The Green Party is working hard to get decent regulation to clean up our lowland rivers and lakes, so that our children can swim in them again.
View our Conservation page for information on our campaign to save our last remaining wild rivers.
Read our water policy
What's new
Water Links
13 Jun 2008Forest and Bird's Save the Mokihinui homepage. At the mouth of the Mokihinui, Meridian Energy has proposed a vast hydro scheme –an 85 metre high dam which will flood this spectacular gorge. 330 hectares of river bed and forest will be flooded! Its all in the name of ‘generating more power’. Yet it’s the biodiversity and wilderness that pay the biggest cost.
Dairying and Clean Streams Accord success claims exaggerated Taranaki Regional Council, Fonterra and Federated Farmers have grossly exaggerated the success of the Dairying and Clean Streams Accord in Taranaki, Forest & Bird says.
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