Water Kiwis’ big worry: Poll
Filthy rivers, lakes stoke concerns for traditional activities
Kiwis are more worried about the levels of pollution in the country’s lakes and rivers than they are about the sky-high cost of living, according to a new opinion poll.
The Colmar-Brunton poll undertaken on behalf of Fish & Game fishing and hunting lobby found 82 per cent of those surveyed were either “extremely or very concerned” about freshwater pollution. This was higher than the 80 per cent very concerned about the cost of living.
Fish & Game New Zealand chief executive Martin Taylor said Kiwis were worried they were “losing their ability to swim, fish and gather food from their rivers, lakes and streams”.
“People see those activities as their birthright, but over the last 20 years that right is being lost because the level of pollution in waterways has increased as farming intensifies.”
While most farmers were making changes, “laggards” were not cleaning up their act.
However, DairyNZ chief executive Tim Mackle said farmers were doing their bit. He said 97 per cent of waterways on dairy farms were fenced to keep animals away. Farmers had also invested heavily in “effluent management systems”, while DairyNZ invested in waterways research, science and technology.
“The reality is that all types of land use contribute to water quality — and that farming, whether it’s vegetables, fruit, beef, sheep, dairy, deer or even wine — must all work together to make sure waterways are protected,” Mackle said.
“The most polluted rivers actually run through urban centres, and this is where the public can do their bit too.”
Federated Farmers environment spokesman Chris Allen felt the poll questions were “slightly loaded”. Federated Farmers had been working with scientists and local government to put out accurate and easy-tounderstand information about water quality.
“And we are actually starting to see some really encouraging results that water quality is improving . . .”
The poll came as the latest Government assessment showed levels of E.coli — a bacteria linked to animal or human faeces that could leave swimmers vomiting and with diarrhoea — weren’t fluctuating at most waterway sites.
But, when compared with the relatively unspoiled waterways that flowed through native wilderness areas, levels were 22 times higher in towns and cities, and nearly 10 times higher in the pastoral countryside.
The review found that between 1994 and 2013 — during which booming milk sales led to intensified diary farming — the levels of nitratenitrogen in monitored rivers got worse (55 per cent) at more sites than at sites where it improved (28 per cent).
Three-quarters of monitored native fish species were nearing extinction, and 90 per cent of natural wetlands had been wiped out, plus untold plants and animals that needed them.
Freshwater scientists have pointed to sediments in waterways harming streambed habitats and filling surface water with extra nutrients as another big problem.
City streams, suffering from the added impact of heavy metals, were the most polluted of any but ultimately were a small proportion of our freshwater network.
Fish & Game’s Martin Taylor said the poll showed Kiwis were fed up with the lack of action in cleaning up waterways. He said councils must toughen the rules “and stop making excuses for the environmentally destructive and irresponsible farmers in their areas”.
The poll surveyed 1000 Kiwis across the country between December 5-12.