Freshwater lakes and rivers in New Zealand are in crisis.
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1/2 of our monitored rivers are unsafe for swimming
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1/3 of our lakes are unhealthy
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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 2011
The Green Party has a plan to make our rivers and lakes clean enough to swim in again. We will:
- Set standards for clean water
- Introduce a fair charge for irrigation water
- Support water clean-up initiatives
Read more | See our one page summary or full plan
Dirty Rivers Rafting Tour
Russel Norman's 2011 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.
Russel's Dirty (and Threatened) Rivers Tour 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! One wild river under threat right now is the Mokihinui. Read more about the Mokihinui
Recent news
- 21 Dec 2011 | Speech
- 19 Dec 2011 | Blog post
Take action
nick [dot] smith [at] parliament [dot] govt [dot] nz (Write to Minister for the Environment), Dr Nick Smith, and tell him why our lakes and riveres need good clean water rules.
Check the water quality of rivers near you on the Ministry for the Environment's website
Events
There are no upcoming events that relate to this issue.
