The opposition’s dangerous plan to scrap rules to improve the health of rivers and lakes around Aotearoa highlights the importance of having a strong Green Party in Parliament, says Green Party Environment spokesperson Eugenie Sage.

From the maunga to moana, water is a taonga which must be protected, but too many rivers, lakes, and wetlands have been polluted over the years, and river flows have fallen below healthy levels. At the same time, climate change disrupts rainfall patterns, putting rivers at risk from both drought and flooding. Change is happening. The Government has introduced the strongest ever water reforms. For the first time, rules for water will prioritise ecosystem baselines and Māori cultural values. These...

The Green Party says major freshwater reforms announced today provide the strongest ever protections of our waterways, to help ensure the next generation can swim in the rivers of Aotearoa.

Work to look after nature and restore freshwater quality in Te Hoiere/Pelorus River catchment is getting a significant boost, thanks to new Government funding support Minister for Conservation Eugenie Sage announced in Canvastown today. “Every New Zealander should be able to swim in their local river without getting sick, and rivers should be healthy for fish and other wildlife and for gathering mahinga kai. Currently Te Hoiere/Pelorus River is at risk and needs a helping hand to improve water quality...

The Green Party welcome proposed changes to the Overseas Investment Act (OIA) that will see stronger controls on applications by overseas interests to buy land for water bottling in New Zealand.

The Green Party welcome the fresh water policy proposals announced for consultation by Government that seeks to treat water as taonga and recognise te mana o te wai (“the innate life force of the water”). “Water is life and the wellbeing of our communities and nature depends on it. We have long needed a holistic approach that ensures our water stays clean and healthy from the mountain to the sea”, Green Party Co-leader Marama Davidson said today. “The proposals set...

Central government needs to resource local councils to protect our waterways, Green Party Water spokesperson Marama Davidson said today, following reports that corporate oil dumping into Otuwairoa stream in Papakura is killing eels.   “Eels are a tāonga and a sign of the health of our Creeks. It hurts to see our waterways being dumped in like this.   “This disrespectful and deliberate dumping shows why we need to be holding corporate polluters to account.   “We also need to...

Water extraction should be considered a sensitive asset under new consultation launched today on the Overseas Investment Act review, Green Party Coleader Marama Davidson said today. The Green Party announced at their 2018 AGM that water bottling issues would be involved in the next consultation of the Overseas Investment review. “The protection of water must be at the heart of decision-making for our Overseas Investment Act, and I am pleased that, following Green Party pressure, New Zealanders will now be...

The Government is going the extra mile backing the Sustainable Business Network’s Million Metres Streams’ project with a $200,000 funding boost, Associate Environment Minister Eugenie Sage announced today. “I am excited to be able to announce this funding from the Community Environment Fund for the Million Metres project in time for this year’s autumn planting season. “The Million Metres project aims to improve water quality by restoring native vegetation along more than 500 kms of New Zealand’s waterways which makes...

New Government funding will bring together landholders, iwi and hapū, and others in the wider community to improve stream health in the Waikawa catchment, in the Manawatu-Wanganui region. Associate Environment Minister Eugenie Sage announced that a $170,000 grant from Government’s Community Environment Fund would contribute to the Waikawa Stream Community Catchment Project. Others are contributing $90,000 - Horizons Regional Council ($45,000), Landcare Trust New Zealand ($30,000) and landholders ($15,000). The Waikawa catchment stretches from the Tararua Ranges to the coast...