New Zealand farming leaders pledge to make all rivers swimable

Amid rising concern over water quality, leaders representing 80% of New Zealand's farming industry have pledged to make all of the country's rivers swimmable.

The pledge states "we are committed to New Zealand's rivers being swimmable for our children and grandchildren."

Launching the pledge by the banks of the Ngaruroro River in Hawke's Bay, Federated Farmers President and West Coast dairy farmer Katie Milne commented "we're standing up and saying we haven't always got this right.

"Many of our rivers are not in the condition we all want them to be in. We are doing this because we want our kids and their kids to be able to swim in the same rivers that we did as children. And by swim we mean swim. It's as simple as that," says Ms Milne.

However, no timeline has been put on the pledge.

The move was welcomed by political parties, although Green spokeswoman for the environment, Eugenie Sage, said the statement had to be made meaningful by concrete commitments.

Sage explained "it needs to be backed up by measures such as stronger regulatory controls on pollution, lower dairy cow numbers to reduce nutrient pollution, ending PKE use, winding up Government subsidies for big irrigation schemes which encourage intensification, reducing dairy sector debt; and shifting to more sustainable farming models."

Milne defended the lack of specifics in the pledge, advising "today isn't about laying out the detail on the huge amount of work going on already on farms up and down the country and how these efforts will need to increase.

"It's about us as farming leaders signalling our commitment to making New Zealand's rivers swimmable and doing everything we can to achieve that."

The move was also welcomed by Tourism Industry Aotearoa with Chief Executive Chris Roberts saying that protecting and improving New Zealand’s fresh water resources is something that every industry and every New Zealander should commit to.

Roberts advised "like the agriculture sector, tourism has a direct interest in this issue. Clean, fresh rivers and lakes are essential to many of our most iconic tourism activities, including rafting, kayaking, jet boating and fishing. Healthy fresh water ecosystems are fundamental to supporting our natural landscapes, which are the main reason international visitors come here.”

Acknowledging the farmers’ pledge Roberts advised that while some positive steps had been taken on improving river water quality recently, TIA doesn’t believe they go far enough.

He added “our Tourism Election Manifesto calls on the incoming Government to demonstrate a serious commitment to protecting the environment, recognising its importance to tourism. This includes a commitment to enhancing New Zealand’s fresh water resources.

“Post the election, we want to see the fresh water standards revised. TIA wants to be part of any future consultation to improve our lakes and waterways and we look forward to working alongside farming leaders, other sectors and government to achieve better outcomes.”

Roberts says safe, clean, fresh water goes to the heart of kaitiakitanga - guardianship of the environment, concluding “our country needs a clear vision and a long-term strategy for management of fresh water that reflects the values we hold as New Zealanders.

“We all have an active role to play in ensuring we leave the environment in a better state for future generations of Kiwis and our visitors.”

Image courtesy of Diary NZ.

19th July 2017 - NZRA APPLAUDS FRESHWATER RESCUE PLAN

18th July 2017 - PRESSURE ON AS FRESHWATER RESCUE PLAN GAINS SUPPORT 

6th March 2017 - MAPS SHOW MOST NEW ZEALAND RIVERS EXCLUDED FROM SWIMMING STANDARD

24th February 2017 - NZRA SEES GOOD AND BAD IN NEW SWIMMABLE RIVERS TARGET

23rd February 2017 - NEW ZEALAND GOVERNMENT ANNOUNCES PLANS TO MAKE 90% OF WATERWAYS SWIMMABLE BY 2040

16th January 2017 - ADVOCACY GROUP CALLS FOR AN END TO THE EXPLOITATION OF NEW ZEALAND’S RIVERS

28th December 2016 - HORIZONS REGIONAL COUNCIL INCREASES MONITORING OF POPULAR SWIM SPOTS 

20th December 2016 - NEW ONLINE GUIDE TO SAFE SWIMMING LAUNCHED 

24th October 2016 - BEST PRACTICE AQUATIC INDUSTRY GUIDELINES FROM THE NZRA

22nd April 2016 - FRESH WATER VITAL TO NEW ZEALAND’S GREEN TOURISM BRAND 

12th April 2013 - AUCKLAND COUNCIL LAUNCHES MULTI-DAY KAYAK TRAIL

3rd April 2013 - ADVENTURE TRAVEL TRADE ASSOCIATION RELEASES VALUES STATEMENT AS MEMBERSHIP PREREQUISITE

29th September 2010 - NEW COASTAL PARK PURCHASED BY ARC

Asking a small favour
We hope that you value the news that we publish so while you're here can we ask for your support?

The news we publish at www.ausleisure.com.au is independent, credible (we hope) and free for you to access, with no pay walls and no annoying pop-up ads.

However, as an independent publisher, can we ask for you to support us by subscribing to the printed Australasian Leisure Management magazine - if you don't already do so.

Published bi-monthly since 1997, the printed Australasian Leisure Management differs from this website in that it publishes longer, in-depth and analytical features covering aquatics, attractions, entertainment, events, fitness, parks, recreation, sport, tourism and venues management.

Subscriptions cost just $90 a year.

Click here to subscribe.