Latest news with #TeManaoteWai
Otago Daily Times
6 days ago
- Business
- Otago Daily Times
‘Enduring' solutions important, councillors say
The Otago Regional Council building on the corner of Broadway and MacLaggan st. PHOTO: ODT FILES Resource management reform should produce "enduring, consistent and stable" solutions, Otago regional councillors say. The Otago Regional Council this week approved wide-ranging submissions on infrastructure and development, the primary sector, and freshwater management ahead of government reforms of the Resource Management Act and the national policy statements and standards that sit under it. Cr Tim Mepham said he was hopeful the council submissions would help to shape the new national directions. "But I definitely have concerns for our environmental management and the future of our freshwater quality. "I'm pretty happy with the comments that have been made in the submission in regards to the need for cross-party agreement because with the political cycles, to-ing and fro-ing, it doesn't create a lot of certainty." Cr Alan Somerville agreed. "Finding some enduring, consistent and stable solution to all this, so there aren't always changes, is very, very important," he said. The submissions demonstrated the value of local government and bringing together a diverse set of views around the council table, chairwoman Cr Gretchen Robertson said. "We listen to each other, just as we have again today and generally, we do come up with solutions that we all agree with — sometimes we don't, though, and that's fine as well." As well as the direct points the submissions made, the submissions made a "broader point" about the value the regional council provided "in partnership with central government and with mana whenua and with our communities", she said. The council submission on infrastructure and development national directions said infrastructure "in particular" needed a stable regulatory environment to drive investment. However, the submission on the primary sector also addressed the "need for enduring solutions". "Without broad political support for the proposals, there is a risk that future governments will reverse this reform, undermining the commitment of communities, industries, agencies and local authorities to plan their future and buy into actions that achieve the desired outcomes." The council supported moves "to better enable quarrying and mining". Its submission on commercial forestry had been drawn up with community concerns in mind, it said. "ORC is aware of the concerns that exist within Otago's communities about the conversion of large tracts of pastoral farmland into commercial forestry and how this may affect Otago's rural communities." The council submission on freshwater management said "three large overhauls" of freshwater policy — in 2014, 2017 and 2020 — "put considerable financial strain on councils and ratepayers and have disrupted planned or ongoing initiatives". The council also said it did not have a consensus view on whether the controversial concept of Te Mana o te Wai should be retained as the fundamental concept underpinning the national direction for freshwater. The council decided to finalise its submission on "going for housing growth" — a reform package designed to free up land for development and remove planning barriers — after staff had spoken to Otago's district and city councils.
NZ Herald
16-07-2025
- Business
- NZ Herald
Towards a system that respects property rights: tidy tweaks or real change?
Yet beneath these improvements lies a fundamental question. Are they stepping stones toward the Government's promised property-rights-based system, or just necessary patches stuck on a fundamentally flawed framework? The infrastructure and development package demonstrates coherent reform. It recognises that efficient infrastructure and housing supply are prerequisites for a functioning society. New national standards for electricity networks, telecommunications, and renewable energy would sweep away inconsistent local rules that add significant time and cost for infrastructure projects – $1.3 billion a year in consenting costs alone, according to the Infrastructure Commission. New standards could cut $1.3 billion in annual infrastructure consenting costs. The proposed standards for granny flats could unlock thousands of affordable housing options. The freshwater reforms show promise by abandoning a rigid environmental hierarchy that has paralysed decision-making. The current approach of 'environment-first' (and arguably second, third and fourth) prevents councils from properly weighing economic and social benefits against environmental costs. It has created regulatory straitjackets that are not working, pleasing no one. Replacing this with objectives that treat environmental, social, and economic factors equally represents a crucial shift toward a balanced approach. Proposals to rebalance Te Mana o te Wai would reduce layers of assessment that add uncertainty, time and cost to freshwater management. Removing its rigid hierarchy of obligations and principles and its extra layers of policy and decision-making processes would mean freshwater would revert to being managed like any other natural resource under the RMA. Resource management changes promise infrastructure, freshwater balance. Photo / Tania Whyte It would let councils better balance economic development with environmental protection. Crucially, it would restore the regulatory certainty businesses and farms need to invest, expand, and create jobs. An alternative to heavy-handed regulation would allow market-based instruments to align private incentives with public objectives. Rather than mandating specific outcomes through complex rules and stifling processes, pricing mechanisms and tradeable permits could achieve superior environmental results while preserving choice and encouraging innovation. Making more use of them would revolutionise not only freshwater management but also biodiversity protection and urban development. Other elements of the packages reveal some contradictions. The continuation of the National Policy Statement for Highly Productive Land, even with modest changes, exemplifies how good intentions are inconsistent with broader policy goals. While food production is of course important, the policy artificially constrains land use on urban fringes where housing growth naturally occurs. The irony is stark. A Government committed to property rights as the foundation of resource management simultaneously maintains regulations that prevent landowners from responding to market signals or pursuing their highest-value land use. The restrictions not only inflate housing costs but also demonstrate an assumption that politicians and bureaucrats can better determine land use than property owners themselves. Balancing reform goals with property rights in NZ. These policy choices matter. Property rights create incentive structures that drive innovation, investment, and responsible stewardship. When regulations unduly constrain these rights, particularly without compensation, they generate perverse outcomes that can harm both economic efficiency and environmental quality. The current consultation is also silent on compensation for regulatory takings. When national direction significantly constrains landowners' development rights, affected parties should not bear the full cost of delivering public benefits. International experience offers various models for addressing this fundamental fairness issue, from statutory compensation triggers to targeted buyout schemes. Chances to tweak a bad system should of course be taken, but they will remain patches on a bad system. Comprehensive reform in the form of RMA replacement remains crucially important. Minister Chris Bishop's speech to Local Government New Zealand's conference yesterday shows the Government is still committed, which is reassuring. In the meantime, the test of any interim tweaks should be simple: do they enhance or erode the principles that will govern the replacement system? On this measure, the specific proposals largely point in the right direction, but some could be better. After many attempts to fix the RMA, New Zealand once again stands at a resource management crossroads. The path toward property rights, market mechanisms, and genuine choice remains open. Taking it would unlock decades of suppressed growth and innovative ways to improve the environment. Taking the other path would condemn New Zealand to more of the same dysfunction that has plagued us for a generation. It is a path we simply cannot afford to take.
NZ Herald
14-07-2025
- Business
- NZ Herald
Striking the balance: Practical policy for freshwater and farming
Another opportunity will come later this year – likely October – when we see the first draft of the new rules. What I'm hearing from those I talk with is that without a doubt, dairy remains a valued and valuable sector critical to New Zealand's future economic success, with more enabling policy a shared interest between DairyNZ and the Government. The Government's proposals include updates to Te Mana o te Wai, simpler wetland rules, a review of nitrogen limits, and more flexible ways to set freshwater objectives. These changes could reduce red tape, but only if they result in rules that are practical and workable on-farm. We support the consultation process and the goal of improving freshwater policy, but we are advocating for change that reflects on-farm realities and builds confidence for the future. We support a shift away from rigid numerical limits. Instead, we want to see greater focus on ecosystem and human health outcomes. We support better use of tools like certified and audited Freshwater Farm Plans. More enabling rules around constructed wetlands are another priority. The dairy sector is investing heavily in science-backed solutions to reduce its environmental footprint, including nitrogen, phosphorus, and sediment losses. Proven practices such as using plantain, catch crops, good farming practices and stacked mitigations through Low N Systems are already delivering results. An example is the potential for nitrate reductions of up to 60%, with further gains possible with supportive policy. These efforts show the sector's strong commitment to improving freshwater quality while remaining economically viable. DairyNZ has spent the past year preparing to provide a workable replacement to the existing policy. Our team has developed an alternative freshwater framework to support a constructive, science-led response. We are pushing for four key outcomes: Practical, science-based rules Clearer focus on environmental and human health Farmer-led, catchment-scale solutions that reward good practice A policy package trusted by farmers, communities and markets. Beyond freshwater, we are involved in the wider RMA reform, where we have concerns. We've submitted on both recent Amendment Bills and the Fast-Track Approvals Bill, calling for enduring and enabling policy settings with pragmatic consenting pathways. We are also working with regional councils to ensure the pause on new freshwater plans is used to improve, not shelve, the evidence base for environmental limits. We know that right now, many of you are doing your best to interpret complex rules while managing the day-to-day realities of farming. And with calving underway or around the corner, it's all hands on deck. In the meantime, keep doing the basics well: record nitrogen use, keep stock out of waterways, and implement your Freshwater Farm Plan. Together, we can ensure the next generation of policy supports both a thriving dairy sector and a healthy environment. Thank you for everything you do. - Tracy Brown is the chair of DairyNZ
Scoop
14-07-2025
- Health
- Scoop
Freshwater Is A Public Health Issue – New PHANZ Policy Calls For Action
The Public Health Association of New Zealand (PHANZ) is calling for urgent action to protect freshwater in Aotearoa New Zealand, warning that declining water quality, and the proposed weakening of environmental protections, will continue to put people's health at risk, particularly in rural and disadvantaged communities. Releasing its new policy position statement on Freshwater and Health, the PHANZ emphasises the important relationship between freshwater and health, and the need for a strong health and equity-focused approach to freshwater policy and management that upholds Te Tiriti o Waitangi and strengthens environmental protections. 'Healthy freshwater and functioning ecosystems are critical for healthy, stable communities' says Dr Cadence Kaumoana, Chief Executive. 'When our waterways are polluted, it impacts everything – from drinking water and food safety to mental health and climate resilience.' The PHANZ statement acknowledges that the quality of drinking water and the ecological health of waterways in Aotearoa New Zealand are under increasing pressure from intensified agricultural systems, poor infrastructure, and climate change. The PHANZ notes the public health risks linked to groundwater contamination and rising nitrate levels, and affirms that access to safe, good quality drinking water is a fundamental human right essential to health and wellbeing. The PHANZ strongly supports the Te Mana o Te Wai framework, which is the current decision-making framework for freshwater management in Aotearoa New Zealand. Te Mana o te Wai safeguards the health of freshwater ecosystems and explicitly requires access to safe, good quality drinking water. 'We need a public health approach to be a key part of freshwater policy', says Dr Kaumoana. 'This means ensuring Te Mana o Te Wai remains a core component of freshwater policy, prioritising the health of freshwater ecosystems and the health of people, ahead of commercial and other polluting interests.' The PHANZ's policy position statement comes as the Government is undertaking consultation on proposed changes to Aotearoa New Zealand's Freshwater National Direction. While the proposed changes focus on 'cutting red tape' for commercial entities, experts note that it will mean more pollution in the places we swim, fish, and in communities' drinking water sources. The PHANZ is supporting the public health sector, and the general public, to speak up for a strong public-health approach to freshwater management. The PHANZ has produced a 2-page guidance document, which provides an overview of what is being proposed in the government's consultation, outlines why this is an important issue for public health, and how to make a submission. Read the full PHANZ policy position statement: PHANZ Policy Position Statement on Freshwater and Health Watch the PHANZ policy webinar supporting the release of the policy position statement. This webinar includes a brief overview of the policy position statement, followed by a presentation from public health expert and PHANZ member Marnie Prickett. Have your say on the Government's Freshwater National Direction consultation (closes 11.59pm on Sunday 27 July 2025: Ministry for the Environment's submission form
Scoop
24-06-2025
- Health
- Scoop
New Stats NZ Groundwater Reporting Highlights Serious Risk To Public From Govt Proposal To Weaken Freshwater Protections
Stats NZ's latest groundwater reporting shows New Zealanders are already at risk from contaminated drinking water sources and highlights the threat to the public should the Government continue with its proposals to weaken policy that protects freshwater, says campaign group Choose Clean Water. 'The Government is consulting on plans to remove the prioritisation of the health of waterways and protection of drinking water sources in current freshwater policy and instead change it to give power to commercial polluters of freshwater. 'Given the state of our groundwater, where many of our communities draw their drinking water from, this Government proposal will inevitably increase the health risks to people. It's unbelievably irresponsible.' says Choose Clean Water spokesperson Tom Kay. The new Stats NZ groundwater quality reporting presents monitoring data for groundwater sites across the country between 2019 and 2024. It shows the Maximum Allowable Values for New Zealand drinking water were exceeded at least once between April 2019 and March 2024 at 45.1 percent of sites (450 of 998) for E. coli and 12.4 percent of sites (146 of 1173) for nitrate. Almost half of the monitoring sites show likely or very likely increasing trends in nitrate. Stats NZ says groundwater provides drinking water to nearly half of the population. 'Healthy water bodies provide safe, good quality drinking water. Where groundwater quality is contaminated, we need strong policy that prioritises the public interest in healthy water. Otherwise, communities will struggle to access safe, good quality drinking water at a manageable cost. 'Treating contaminated drinking water, particularly for nitrate contamination, is expensive, complicated, and not very effective. Some communities are already dealing with this as a result of pollution from commercial interests and the Government is proposing to further open the door to commercial interests to dramatically increase their pollution of a fundamental public need,' says Kay. High levels of nitrate in Waimate's drinking water supply in December last year led to a do-not-drink notice for many households. In 2022, a report estimated that treating Christchurch's water supply for potentially high nitrate levels in future could cost $610 million to construct and $24 million per year to operate. The Government's consultation document on freshwater policy is open for submissions until 27 July. The consultation document proposes to remove national bottom lines for pollution as well as to remove or rewrite Te Mana o te Wai, the decision making framework in current national policy that prioritises the public interest in healthy water bodies. 'Rewriting Te Mana o te Wai or removing it from policy would have the same effect. It would take legal priority away from the public interest in healthy water and give more power to polluters by putting private commercial interests on par with people's drinking water. 'It's immoral but consistent with this Government's approach - look at the decisions on tobacco, for example. The Government is demonstrating it cares more about harmful commercial industries than it does about the health of its people.'
