Greenpeace Aotearoa says that today\u2019s announcement that the state of New Zealand rivers is worsening should indicate the need for more protection for fresh water – not less. The organisation says it is deeply concerned by the Luxon-led government\u2019s move to strip consenting applicants\u2019 requirements to comply with freshwater protections.<\/p>\n\n
Greenpeace spokesperson Will Appelbe says \u201cWhile the health of lakes and rivers in New Zealand is worsening, Luxon\u2019s government is moving ahead with reckless plans to scrap freshwater protections and remove restrictions on polluting industries like intensive dairying.\u201d<\/p>\n\n
In May, the Government announced plans to remove requirements for consent applicants to comply with Te Mana o Te Wai – the hierarchy of obligations, which puts the health of fresh water and communities ahead of commercial use of water.<\/p>\n\n
\u201cPeople across Aotearoa are facing the consequences of decades of inaction from successive governments, who failed to rein in intensive dairy\u2019s pollution of lakes, rivers, and drinking water. Now, Luxon seeks to make that pollution even worse by removing the only effective freshwater protections we have,\u201d says Appelbe.<\/p>\n\n
\u201cNew Zealand\u2019s freshwater protections aren\u2019t perfect, but they\u2019re better than nothing. They\u2019re the only thing standing between Aotearoa\u2019s lakes, rivers and drinking water, and polluting industries like intensive dairying.<\/p>\n\n
\u201cThe intensive dairy industry consistently contaminates waterways with pollutants like nitrate and E Coli, which negatively impact people\u2019s health. LAWA\u2019s report today shows we need more protections, not less.\u201d<\/p>\n\n
The LAWA report shows around two-thirds of monitored swimming sites are scoring for dangerous levels of E Coli, a fecal bacteria from dairy pollution, birds and runoff, and untreated wastewater discharges. Nitrate toxicity has shown little change, and is highest in pasture based sites. <\/p>\n\n
\u201cThis week, the Primary Production Select Committee will deliver their report to Parliament on the Bill that will scrap Te Mana o Te Wai. The fact that this report will land the same week that LAWA\u2019s data indicates declining water quality just shows where this Government\u2019s priorities are,\u201d says Appelbe.<\/p>\n\n
\u201cLuxon\u2019s Government is waging a war on nature. Their actions will strip away access to safe, healthy lakes, rivers and drinking water for even more communities across Aotearoa.\u201d<\/p>\n\n