We want swimmable rivers

Our Solutions

The Green Party will require as a minimum that all water bodies be safe for swimming in the National Policy Statement for Freshwater Management, rather than the current ‘safe for wading and boating’ standard. To do this, we will:

  • Develop national standards to limit the amount of pollution going into water
  • Put a levy on pollution going into rivers. We’ll use this money to support sustainable land and water management programmes like freshwater habitat restoration.
  • Put a hold on all new conversions of land to dairy farms
  • Require resource consents for more intensive land uses
  • Introduce rules that require all farms to be fenced from rivers and creeks, and for riverbanks to be planted so that excess run-off is absorbed
  • Ensure Māori are recognised and supported in their role as kaitiaki of their taonga and tikanga.
  • Look at how urban design can reduce stormwater pollution from entering rivers
  • Upgrade and invest in sewerage systems that dispose sewage onto land rather than water, where appropriate
  • Introduce a charge on water used for irrigation. Those who profit from water use should pay for the privilege
  • Keep wild rivers wild by not building new water storage schemes
  • Wind up Crown Irrigation Investments, a subsidy used to fund water storage and irrigation scheme

More info

Waikato

See how  ›

Henry Burrows CC BY-SA 2.0

Tukituki

See how  ›

Malcolm Peacey CC BY-SA 2.0

Waitara

See how  ›

Francesco Scotti CC BY-SA 2.0

Manawatū

See how  ›

Syd3r CC BY-SA 2.0

Ruamāhanga

See how  ›

Copyright Rob Suisted

Selwyn

See how  ›

Catnthehat CC BY-SA 2.0

Mataura

See how  ›

Copyright Rob Suisted

Share your stories

We want to hear about your water stories.

It looks like your browser is out-of-date!

Please update your browser to view this website correctly.

Update my browser now

×