1 About this Document
This public discussion document is based on work by the Water Programme of Action inter-departmental working groups. These groups were established to look at three areas: water allocation and use, water quality, and the identification of potential water bodies of national importance. [Note that the programme has not focused on urban water quality issues. The primary issue addressed by the working group, and in this document, is the impact of diffuse discharges from rural land use.] Technical papers were produced by the working groups in July 2004, and they provide the background to this discussion document. [The papers "Water Allocation and Use, The Effects of Rural Land Use on Water Quality, Potential Water Bodies of National Importance" and other technical papers on water bodies of national importance can be read on www.mfe.govt.nz or www.maf.govt.nz. See Further Reading section for details (page 25).]
Because the three areas of focus are closely connected, this discussion document treats them in an integrated way.
This document:
- outlines the different ways in which New Zealanders value and use freshwater
- describes how water allocation, water quality and water bodies of national importance are managed at present
- describes the pressures and challenges facing our water management system
- identifies eight key issues that need to be addressed in any reform of the country's water management system
- proposes a package of actions to improve the water management system and overcome the challenges it currently faces. The proposed package is not the only way forward, and other possibilities are also described.
The Government seeks your feedback on this document.
The Water Programme of Action
The Government established the Water Programme of Action in 2003 to ensure that the country's freshwater resources are managed to best support New Zealand's future sustainable development. The programme is part of the Government's wider Sustainable Development Programme of Action.
Jointly led by the Ministry for the Environment and the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, the Water Programme of Action has involved many government departments. It has also involved representatives of regional councils and other local authorities, a Maori Reference Group [Members of the Māori Reference Group are: Heitia Hiha, Waaka Vercoe, Jane West, Paul Morgan and Gail Tipa.] and a Stakeholder Reference Group[Interests represented in the Stakeholder Reference Group include recreation, agriculture, horticulture, environmental groups, irrigation, hydro-electricity generation, industry, business, forestry and hydrological and limnological societies.].
The programme's vision, objectives and underlying principles are:
VISION:
Freshwater is managed wisely to provide for the present and future social, cultural, environmental and economic wellbeing of New ZealandCHALLENGES
- Not all expectations and needs for freshwater are currently being met and demands are growing
- Water quality is declining in many areas and is unacceptable in some catchments
- Given the range of people's interests in water it is difficult to establish priorities for action
[View
objectives and underlying principles diagram at full size (including textual
description)]
Water management and the Resource Management Act review
As the Water Programme of Action has progressed, the Government has also been conducting a review of the Resource Management Act 1991 (the RMA).
Following this review, a package of measures designed to improve the working of the RMA was announced in September 2004. A key theme was a greater role for central government in supporting local decision-making. The Select Committee process will provide opportunities for the public to comment on the proposals arising from the RMA review.
Because the RMA sets the framework for water management, many of these measures have important implications for any changes to the present water management system. They include:
- Better expression of the national interest
The Government proposes making greater use of national policy statements and national environmental standards. These would allow the national interest in water to be defined and expressed, and would help achieve greater consistency between local authorities.
- Improved local policy and plan making
The role of regional policy statements would be strengthened as a result of the proposals. District and regional plans would be required to 'give effect to' regional policy statements (rather than being 'not inconsistent' with them, as at present).
- Better natural resource allocation
It is proposed that the RMA explicitly recognises the allocation of natural resources as being a role and responsibility of regional councils. The Minister for the Environment could also require councils to develop plans to address specific natural resource issues.
The proposals would allow regional plans to specify that discharge permits can be transferred in a similar manner to water or coastal permits, and that both discharge and water permits can be transferred to other users temporarily. Another proposal is that regional councils would be required to recognise existing investment when making decisions about whether to renew expired resource consents.
- Better implementation of the RMA
The Government, through the Ministry for the Environment, wants to take a stronger leadership role to help local government improve its RMA practices. Measures could include providing targeted assistance to councils needing support, offering guidance on iwi engagement and capacity-building, and a more co-ordinated approach to monitoring the performance of local councils and dealing with complaints.
- More certainty about iwi consultation and iwi resource planning
The review identified the need to give more meaningful recognition to Māori interests and values in plans. There would be clearer requirements about when, how and which iwi should be consulted by regional councils during the development of regional policies and plans, and what form that consultation should take. It is proposed that iwi would play a greater role in the development of policies, plans and rules that affect them.
Some of the proposed measures would require legislative amendments, and a Bill is scheduled for introduction to Parliament in the near future. More information about the RMA review is available on www.mfe.govt.nz/issues/resource/improving/index.html.
