Peters rejects Labour plans for water tax

New Zealand First leader Winston Peters won’t support Labour plans for water taxes.

The veteran politician made the announcement in Ashburton yesterday in front of more than 100 people, mostly from the agriculture sector.

A local farmer invited Peters to town and was backed by Irrigation New Zealand and Mid-Canterbury Federated Farmers.

The Northland MP talked about New Zealand First’s policy towards the primary sector and water, and vowed not to support any of Labour’s proposed taxes.

However, Peters says he would charge exports on bottled water.

Water belonged to all New Zealanders, he said. “It’s part of our Kiwi heritage.” With modern science and technology, and “town and country” working together, water quality can be improved, Peters said. But targeting farmers only was unfair.

Waterways would be electronically monitored in real time, Peters said, and management plans introduced that treated town and country equally.

He said the provinces and regions of New Zealand were the “lifeblood of the country”, and needed protecting.

“You burn down the provinces, this country is finished.”

Peters also said he would not support Labour’s proposals to widen the scope of the Emissions Trading Scheme.

To boost environmental sustainability on the farm, New Zealand First says it will commit to 100 per cent depreciation for farm environmental works done against a farm environment plan.

Irrigation New Zealand said it invited the leaders of the main political parties to attend forums with local farmers on water issues.

National leader Bill English spoke to farmers in Ashburton last week. He faced questions about what National was doing to counter Labour’s plans for a water tax.

Labour’s environment spokesman, David Parker, and primary industries spokesman Damien O’Connor had already spoken to farmers in Ashburton at an event last month organised by Federated Farmers.

Irrigation NZ chair Nicky Hyslop said everyone, including farmers, want clean rivers, but “the proposed water tax just won’t do that”.