Purpose of this Report
This report summarises the feedback received on the discussion document Freshwater for a sustainable future: issues and options. This summary is based upon the reports on: the public meetings; the hui; the local government meetings; and the written submissions received. The discussion document was released for comment in December 2004 and constitutes the first round of consultation undertaken on the Sustainable Water Programme of Action.
This report does not include or express opinions about the responses received. These are more appropriately expressed following comprehensive analysis on the policy implications of the feedback.
Background
The Sustainable Water Programme of Action
The Government established the Sustainable 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.
The Sustainable Water Programme of Action established working groups to look at three areas: water allocation and use, water quality, and the identification of potential water bodies of national importance. Three technical papers were produced by the working groups in July 2004: 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 found at www.mfe.govt.nz or www.maf.govt.nz.
Discussion document
The public discussion document was developed based on the work completed within the three work streams of water allocation, water quality and potential water bodies of national importance. Because the three areas of focus are closely connected, the discussion document treats them in an integrated way. The discussion 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 discussion document did not focus on urban water quality issues. The primary issue addressed by the water quality working group was the impact of diffuse discharges from rural land-use.
The discussion document was released for comment on 14 December 2004.
Consultation process
In February of 2005, consultation meetings on the discussion document were jointly run by the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry and the Ministry for the Environment. Meetings were held with regional councils, Māori, the public, and stakeholder groups in 20 locations across the country.
The purpose of the consultation meetings was to hear what New Zealanders had to say about freshwater management. The priority was to listen to feedback on whether the right issues and options had been identified, what other issues and options might exist, and what people thought of the actions presented. Written submissions were also invited from meeting participants and from all New Zealanders.
In addition to this report, separate reports are available on the meetings held with Māori, local government and the public, and on the written submissions received.
Written submissions were received from 292 individuals and organisations from all regions. The submissions came from a broad range of sectors: agriculture; energy; environmental groups; individuals and community groups; industry; Māori; local government; other organisations; recreation; and research.
