Minister for the Environment, David Parker, has signalled that he wants to toughen up water quality standards. What this will look like and the timing for any changes is not yet clear although he has said he wants to move very quickly.
This is worth a read https://www.stuff.co.nz/environment/100641348/fresh-start-for-water-quality-standards
Minister Parker has recently asked the Land and Water Forum for advice by the end of May 2018 to inform his freshwater policy work programme. Water New Zealand would like to see members get involved in shaping this advice. If you are interested in helping with this, please get in touch with charlotte.cudby@waternz.org.nz or call her on 04 495 0893.
The Ministry for the Environment is also running an urban good management practices work programme to support implementation of the National Policy Statement on Freshwater Management (NPS-FM) in urban areas. A number of Water NZ members are involved.
Water New Zealand is considering what we can do to better support members grapple with the NPS-FM and ensure 3 waters sector interests are well represented in regional planning processes happening round the country. We can’t be active in every region submitting on plans. But we can:
For our territorial authority members some questions to think about:
To discuss any of these issues, please contact charlotte.cudby@waternz.org.nz or call on 04 495 0893.