Background
7. New Zealand is not short of freshwater. Indeed it is a vital input for the primary sectors upon which the New Zealand economy relies. Yet in some regions, demands for freshwater (especially for irrigation) are increasing and, in many cases, exceeding \ what is available and sustainable. Given the range of interests in water (social, cultural, environmental, economic), it is difficult under the present management system to articulate clear priorities and manage competing interests fairly and efficiently. Moreover, the impact of climate change is already affecting the drier eastern coast of New Zealand.
8. Freshwater quality, long valued by New Zealanders, is also an issue of growing concern. Water quality is declining in some lowland streams as the unintended consequence of changing land-use patterns.
9. Compounding all these challenges, the management of wateris inherently difficult, due to natural variability of water quality and water quantity, interconnectedness between different parts of catchments and incomplete understanding of water ecosystems.
10. Managing water is a regional council responsibility under the Resource Management Act 1991. Delivery of the package of actions relies heavily on local government in carrying out its functions for managing freshwater. This package of actions seeks to build on the Government's strong relationships with local government.
11. In response to these challenges, the Government established the Sustainable Water Programme of Action in 2003, one of four priority work areas under the Sustainable Development Programme of Action. This his a whole-of-government process led jointly by the Ministry for the Environment and the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry. In November 2004, Cabinet approved the release of the Sustainable Water Programme of Action’s public discussion document,Freshwater for a Sustainable Future: Issues and options. This document formed the basis of comprehensive national consultation, including a submission process and 50 meetings and hui with local government, public and Māori.
12. The feedback from this consultation revealed a range of responses to the challenges of freshwater management. While there was a strong call for issues to be addressed and acknowledgement that action was required, there was little consensus on the solutions. After discussion with community groups, local government and Māori, six broad goals were confirmed for the Sustainable Water Programme of Action:
- achieve greater strategic planning for water at national and regional levels
- provide clearer direction and guidance from central government
- ensure greater consistency in the way increasing demands on water resources are managed across the country
- develop a better framework for deciding between conflicting demands for water
- enable increased effectiveness of Māori participation in water management
- provide for more effective management of the impacts of diffuse or unintended discharges on water quality.
13. In 2005, the Resource Management Amendment Act was passed. The amendments, and the work programmes subsequently initiated, focused on improving the quality of decisions and processes. The package of actions proposed here for water is consistent with and builds upon these amendments.
Underlying principles
14. In developing a package of actions that will help achieve the desired national outcomes for freshwater, the Government has been guided by the following principles:
- water will continue to be managed as a public resource
- freshwater management will be improved under the Resource Management Act
- regional councils will continue to have primary responsibility for managing freshwater
- clear environmental limits will be set for water quality and the quantity available for allocation
- enhancements to existing mechanisms and the provision of incentives will improve efficiency of water use
- resource users will be encouraged to take responsibility for their actions and will be given the flexibility to develop appropriate solutions
- nationally outstanding natural water bodies will be identified and better protected
- the best available information will be used for decision-making processes
- community involvement and confidence in decision making will be maximised, building on the opportunities for participation in the regional planning process.
