Foreword
Until recently we have taken our abundance of freshwater in New Zealand for granted. We have assumed that there will always be enough available to meet the needs of all communities and interests. We have also assumed that different management regimes put in place over the years have sufficiently protected the quality of water in our lakes, rivers, streams, wetlands and aquifers. We know now that our current ways of managing this precious resource are not always sustainable and have not kept pace with economic, cultural, social and environmental changes.
The Government has recognised the need to become more strategic in the way we manage freshwater. As the Minister responsible for the Sustainable Development Programme of Action, I want to ensure the Government delivers a sound water management system that will provide opportunities for everyone who has an interest in freshwater.
The Water Programme of Action is one component of the Sustainable Development Programme of Action. Its aim is to find the best ways of managing the freshwater resources that are important to New Zealanders. It is about ensuring our lakes, rivers, wetlands and other freshwater resources are fairly used, protected, and where necessary, preserved - now and for future generations. Our freshwater resources should be managed and used in ways that make the greatest possible contribution to New Zealand's sustainable development.
This document outlines a set of actions which could be taken to improve our current system. Together, the actions could provide greater certainty to resource managers and communities, increased flexibility to resource users, and greater participation by communities and Māori. The document is designed to generate debate about these proposals so we end up with realistic and workable solutions.
Your views are important for helping to develop a management framework that will provide for present and future generations of New Zealanders.
Hon Marian L Hobbs
