Water quality challenge needs strong leadership

Change is never easy to navigate but it is

inevitable.

As negotiations continue over which parties will form the next government, it is clear the environment – particularly water quality - has become one of the major policy issues to tackle.

It certainly figured prominently in the election campaign, with intense media and social media debate and farmers taking to the streets to protest about how they feared some water policies would impact them.

The rural community’s fears were fuelled by disinformation and exploited on the election trail by politicians all too ready to make the most of rural uncertainty and anxiety in order to get a few more votes.

In the cold, hard light of a post-election day, some of the claims being bandied around can’t survive even cursory scrutiny - $18 cabbages? $40 for a litre of milk? $2.80 an apple?

Unfortunately such outrageous and truth-deficient claims do have an impact and getting people to step back and start discussing the issue calmly and rationally is going to be a challenge.

But it is a challenge we all have to face.

For New Zealand’s farming organisations and industries, it is going to require strong leadership to guide their members and stakeholders through the necessary changes which lie ahead.

Change is never easy to navigate but it is inevitable.

Thankfully, the farming industry accepts such change is necessary and it is getting on the front foot to lead it.

In recent weeks, farming leaders pledged on the banks of Hawke’s Bay’s Ngaruroro River they would make all New Zealand rivers swimmable.

These industry leaders, including Federated Farmers, Fonterra, DairyNZ, Meat Industry Association and Beef + Lamb NZ, admitted the country’s rivers are not in good condition and promised to restore them so people could once again swim in them.

These leaders, who represent 80 per cent of the pastoral farming industry, said farming hadn’t always got it right on water quality and fixing the problem is the right thing to do. I was hugely encouraged by this statement.

From my private discussions with some of these same leaders, I know they want their industry to do better. They appreciate New Zealanders are fed up with having their rivers, lakes and streams polluted.

And Water New Zealand’s survey provides further evidence, showing that nearly three quarters of the public are concerned about poor water quality.

Making the necessary changes won’t be easy but there is ample evidence on the benefits of doing so.

Once negotiations over the shape of the new government are complete, I believe New Zealand will finally be able to take meaningful and practical steps to stop ruining the environment for temporary economic gain.

When it comes to improving water quality and making rivers swimmable, the next government is assured of the support of 80 per cent of farming leaders and three quarters of the public. That’s a powerful mandate and one far too valuable to squander by continuing down the present path of unthinking exploitation and pollution.

Bryce Johnson is the chief executive of Fish & Game.