To make the Waikato safe for swimming, 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.
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 in cases where the proposed land use is more intensive than the current land use.
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.
Introduce a charge on water used for irrigation. Those who profit from water use should pay for the privilege.
Ensure Māori are recognised and supported in their role as kaitiaki of their taonga and tikanga.