Protesters rally to protect freshwater

About 150 protesters gathered in Christchurch yesterday to demand greater protection of freshwater.

The rally outside Environment Canterbury’s (Ecan) office was one of 19 rallies held simultaneously around the country, all centred around a common idea: Freshwater is not being adequately protected for the public.

In Wellington, NZ Water Forum founder Jen Branje presented a petition with 16,000 signatures to Labour MP David Parker, asking for a moratorium on all water exports from New Zealand. Environment Minister Dr Nick Smith rejected the idea in Parliament hours later, calling it ’’farcical’’.

The Christchurch rally was organised by lawyer Peter Richardson, who said it was appropriate to have the protest outside Ecan’s headquarters.

‘‘We’re trying to raise awareness and mobilise people to take serious action to protect our water,’’ he said.

‘‘There’s a feeling that councils generally are being way too slack in their oversight. They’ve favoured commercial interest over public interest.’’

Among the speakers in Christchurch was artist and activist Sam Mahon.

He hosted a mock auction, selling ‘‘the last bottle of unowned water in Canterbury’’, which he collected from the south branch of the Hurunui River.

It was sold to his daughter, Charlie Mahon, who placed the highest bid.

The cold and the rain did not appear to deter the protesters, although it did add a touch of irony to the event.

‘‘Every time we have a water meeting it rains,’’ Mahon told the crowd. ’’God doesn’t get it – he thinks we want water.’’

A message was handed to Ecan councillor Iaean Cranwell, which he said would be presented to the full council.

It said the country had a ‘‘sacred duty’’ to protect water; for children, grandchildren, and the generations beyond. ’’We demand that the protection of Canterbury water for human consumption, for recreation, and for the life and the health of species that inhabit our waterways, be given priority ahead of any commercial interests,’’ it read. ‘‘We demand that you, who should be the guardians of our precious water resources, take action now to restore the mauri of our water.’’