Media release: Government is siding with polluting commercial interests over public health in freshwater proposals

The Government is choosing to align itself with narrow, polluting commercial interests as it proposes to remove key protections in national freshwater policy, according to public and environmental health researchers.

In the latest Briefing from the Public Health Communication Centre, the authors say the Government is ignoring expert advice warning that the changes will have grave consequences for public health and well-being.

Under the Freshwater National Direction proposals, now open for consultation, the Coalition plans to remove national bottom lines for pollutants like nitrate. It also wants to dismantle Te Mana o te Wai, the current national policy decision-making framework, which requires councils to prioritise the health of freshwater bodies and safe drinking water sources over commercial uses.

“The Government knows its proposed removal of Te Mana o te Wai is widely unpopular. Regional councils and iwi have opposed it. Planning, freshwater science, water infrastructure and public health experts have opposed it. These changes put the health of our communities and the integrity of our environment at risk, all to appease a narrow group of polluting industries,” says University of Otago research fellow, Marnie Prickett. 

“Public health is being sacrificed for misguided and murky short-term economic goals despite clear evidence of growing threats to drinking water supplies and nationally worsening water quality.”

As an example, national data shows 12% of monitored groundwater sites have already breached drinking water standards for nitrate in the past five years, with nearly half of all sites nationally showing worsening trends. 

The Briefing highlights that the Government’s proposals align with the demands of agricultural lobby groups such as Federated Farmers and DairyNZ, which have lobbied the Government to remove environmental protections.

“The Government says it wants to establish “enduring” freshwater policy. Removing protections like Te Mana o te Wai doesn’t make freshwater policy more enduring, it makes it ineffective, allowing commercial interests to pollute more,” says Marnie Prickett. 

“These changes will likely lead to ongoing conflict, from community to court-level. This conflict means increased uncertainty and vulnerability for councils, communities, landowners and businesses, alongside the further degradation of the country’s already degraded freshwater and under-pressure drinking water sources.”

Public submissions on the proposed changes are open until 11:59pm, Sunday, 27 July through the Ministry for the Environment’s website.