28 March 2017

Green’s rivers tour goes to Manawatū

What: Water testing activity on the Manawatū River followed by a public meeting.

When: Wednesday, 29 March 2017. Water testing will take place from 2 p.m – 3 p.m. The public meeting begins at 7 p.m.

Who: Green MP Catherine Delahunty and Freshwater ecologist Russell Death. Awapuni School children and Joanne Jackson from Wai NZ will attend the water testing on the river.

Where: Water testing will take place on the Manawatū River. Meet at the end of the sealed section of Karere Road, off State Highway 56, just south of Palmerston North and Longburn. The public meeting will be held at All Saints Church Hall, Church Road, Palmerston North.

Green Party MP Catherine Delahunty will visit the Manawatū River on Wednesday to test the water with a prototype Wai NZ water sensor. Pupils from Awapuni School, freshwater ecologist Russell Death, and Joanne Jackson from Wai NZ will join her.

The visit is part of the Green’s nationwide Swimmable Rivers campaign. Ms Delahunty will test a prototype Wai NZ water sensor in the Manawatū River. The sensor allows communities to check the health and safety of their local waterways. She will also hold a public meeting in the evening.

“This is a great opportunity to see the actions that Manawatū locals are taking to clean up their own river," said Green Party water spokesperson Catherine Delahunty.

“Despite amazing efforts from locals, the Manawatū River remains one of New Zealand's most polluted rivers.

“I will be meeting with Horizons Regional Council to discuss the Horizons ‘One Plan’, which is currently facing legal challenges.

“This plan was meant to clean up pollution running off farms, but scientists and environmental groups believe it’s been heavily watered down.

“New Zealanders want swimmable rivers. The Green Party is talking to farmers, scientists, locals, and mana whenua across the county about the solutions we need to make that a reality," said Ms Delahunty.

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