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You are here: The issues Contains: Water Contains: Sustainable Water Programme of Action Contains:

Leadership and partnership

The success of the Sustainable Water Programme of Action depends on relationships between central government, local government, iwi, industry groups, environmental groups and other New Zealanders.

Partnerships

Advisory groups and public consultation are playing an important role in developing the Sustainable Water Programme of Action initiatives such as the proposed National Policy Statement for Freshwater Management, the proposed National Environmental Standard on Ecological Flows and Water Levels and the proposed National Environmental Standard for Measurement of Water Takes.

Advisory groups include:

  • The Ministerial Advisory Group
  • The Regional Affairs Subcommittee
  • Reference groups for electricity generation
  • Environmental non-government organisations
  • Urban interests.

Voluntary targets and objectives initiated by the primary sector

A working group has been convened to address the impacts of land-use on water quality and quantity. The group comprises representatives of the major primary sectors and receives input from Local Government New Zealand and several regional councils. It is known as the “Primary Sector Partnership Group”.

The Primary Sector Partnership Group has been working steadily and constructively since May 2006 and has achieved substantial agreement on broad goals and principles. You can learn more about the Group and its work by looking at the Primary Sector Water Partnership Leadership Document at: http://www.hortnz.co.nz/communications/pdfs/3737WaterPartnership2.pdf

Māori values and interests

In 2005 there were 17 hui held with Māori throughout the country, to discuss the issues and options for developing a national framework for freshwater management.  During these hui there were a number of matters expressed by Māori in terms of their values and interests wanting to be recognised in the development of a national framework for the management of freshwater in New Zealand.  Discussions included:

  • Recognition of The Treaty of Waitangi Partnership between the Crown and Māori
  • Ownership of freshwater,
  • Involvement in decision-making and management of freshwater at all levels.  This includes recognitions of:
    • kaitiakitanga/traditional water management philosophies
    • strong support for community based solutions
    • regional concerns/focus
  • Building better relationships with local and central government

Projects involving Māori are currently underway to assist in the delivery and implementation of the national instruments (the proposed National Policy Statement for Freshwater Management and the national environmental standards).

These projects include development and exploration of existing freshwater management practice in relation to Māori. They factor in tangata whenua components in environmental flows (flows required in a waterbody to provide for a given set of values which are established through a regional plan or other statutory process) and they incorporate Māori perspective in managing demand for fresh water.

The projects complement work regional councils have initiated on water allocation.

They are an essential part of a commitment to enhance Māori participation in freshwater management, now and in the long term.