Water

Freshwater lakes and rivers in New Zealand are in crisis.

• 1/2 of our monitored rivers are unsafe for swimming

• 1/3 of our lakes are unhealthy

• 2/3 of our freshwater fish are at risk.

It's no wonder water is New Zealanders #1 environmental issue!

Our freshwaters face increased pollution from agriculture, horticulture and sewerage, and increased demand from irrigation, industry and urban use.

Clean Rivers Priority

The Green Party has a plan to make our rivers and lakes clean enough to swim in again. We will:

1. Set standards for clean water
2. Introduce a fair charge for irrigation water
3. Support water clean-up initiatives

Read more | See our one page summary or full plan

Land and Water Forum

We support the work that the Land and Water Forum is doing. The Land and Water Forum  collaberative group of environmental and recreational NGOs, Iwi, industry, scientests and other organisations with a stake in freshwater. Unfortunately the Government has not picked up the recommendations of the Forum, and failed to act to protect our rivers and lakes. We need strong rules to protect the rivers and lakes that we love, so that our children and their children can enjoy clean healthy rivers.

Dirty Rivers Rafting Tour

The Dirty (and Threatened) Rivers Rafting Tour visited some of New Zealands worst affected streams, lakes and rivers and highlighted the need for water rules that will make a difference.

Paddling Lake Brunner
Damming the Makaroro
River Pollution Patrol
Russel's Dirty (and Threatened) Rivers Tour 2011 Summary Blog

Wild rivers

Our last remaining wild rivers are under threat from irrigation and hydro dams. If you like fishing, kayaking, whitebaiting, whitewater rafting, tramping, or just knowing there are pristine wild rivers flowing all over New Zealand, take action now to save them! Thanks to hard work from heaps of New Zealanders the Mokihinui has been saved from a proposed hydro dam. You can make a difference.