Hon Scott Simpson
National Party Spokesperson for the Environment

17 April 2018

Progress on fresh water quality welcomed

National’s Environment spokesperson Scott Simpson has welcomed news that the efforts of New Zealanders alongside the previous Government to improve our freshwater quality are proving effective.

“A new report from Land, Air, Water Aotearoa (LAWA) released yesterday shows that for all river water quality parameters monitored over a 10 year period, more sites were improving than deteriorating.

“This is tangible progress reflecting the hard work of farmers, councils and communities to improve rural and urban water quality in recent years.

“While there is still a lot of work ahead, it also shows that the previous National Government’s focus on nationwide water quality standards were a step in the right direction and that work should continue under the Ardern-Peters Government.

“National is a party of practical environmentalists, focused on striking a balance between responsible economic growth and managing our environment.

“We know that a strong economy allows us to invest in improving our environment and it’s what allowed us to invest a record $400 million in improving water quality.

“That kind of investment, backed by our implementation of the first National Policy Statement on Freshwater and the development of national regulations requiring stock exclusion from waterways all contributed to the progress we’re seeing today.

“It’s actions, not intentions, that actually improve our waterways, as well as working alongside our communities rather than hammering them with new taxes and regulations and this Government would do well to remember that.”

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