New Zealand government policy fails to protect waterways

[Flycasta]

19 June 2020

After setting up a committee to advise on how to properly manage and effectively protect water resources, the New Zealand government has decided on a policy that, in the view of concerned scientists, will fail to do the job.

A detailed examination of this failure appears at https://i.stuff.co.nz/environment/300032530/watered-down-a-behind-the-scenes-battle-over-politics-science-and-water-reform

Basically, many NZ rivers and streams are already loaded with nitrogen and phosphorous from fertiliser used in intensive farming, The proposed policy will do nothing to change that. The government has condemned the nation's rivers to a slow death by pollution.

Update 17 July 2020: the NZ Federation of Freshwater Anglers was not impressed by the government's weak policy. See comments at
https://nzffa.com/publics-rivers-a-toxic-legacy/

Update 20 July 2020; very good paper by freshwater scientist Dr R Death on NZ water pollution problems. See https://www.nzif.org.nz/assets/Uploa...th-10.50am.pdf ("Why Can't I See the Forest for the Cows?" power point presentation). The cartoon shown early on in the paper is 100% correct. Rather than spend money to clean up our rivers (and admit there is a problem) the NZ dairy industry spends millions on propaganda.

[lastchance]

Man, that's awful to hear about that kind of neglect. I'm sorry for you and the sportsmen of your country.

[Marco]

New Zealand is on my Bucket List.................rest assured I'll take cae of the problem when I get there........................maybe
It would be a SUPER shame if one of the beautifullest countries follows thru with continued practices toward river/ stream/ water pollution. And if I don't ever get there, rest, knowing I'm on your side.

Mark

[Flycasta]

Thank you for your comments, Mark. I guess it is not all doom and gloom here in NZ (I fished Lake Taupo recently and got some good fish) but the overall
trend respecting our water quality is not good. That means we must be vigilant to preserve the rivers and streams - we hold them on trust for the next generation.

I hope you stay healthy during the Covid-19 crisis. Remember, better days will come.

Flycasta