Media Release – 22 December 2014

A water policy that’s fair for all New Zealanders

A national water policy framework must provide for the interests of the natural environment, the general public and Māori, say the Co-Chairs of the Council, Maanu Paul and Sir Edward Taihakurei Durie, in a policy framework released today.
All people should have free access to reasonable water supplies for personal domestic needs as a basic human right and reasonable access to natural water bodies for recreation. Commercial use of water must be paid for to reflect its value to the community as a whole.
The Council proposes three levels for water usage:
1. A sustainable natural flow or volume of water is maintained on environmental grounds
2. Domestic use water is allocated according to need
3. Commercial water use is capped at the volume of water available after allowing for levels 1 and 2 and commercial users are progressively required to pay a usage fee for water consumed, redirected or otherwise used.
Council is seeking public feedback on its proposals which will be incorporated into submissions for Stage 2 of the Waitangi Tribunal hearings of the National Water Case in 2015. A media statement on the water policy framework is attached.
Copies of the policy framework are available on request and can be found on the Council’s website www.maoricouncil.maori.nz.

ENDS

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