Ikaroa-Rawhiti candidates answered our three questions on the proposed water tax.
1. Are you in favour of a water tax for its commercial use? Why, why not?
2. Does such a tax threaten to deepen the region's town/country rift and the disconnect between food production and our population?
3. Some say this will cost farmers and consumers - do you agree?
Labour: Meka Whaitiri 1. Absolutely.
Clean water is our birth right, clean rivers and lakes are a taonga. A royalty on commercial water consumption will help pay for keeping our water clean.
Households and councils won't pay any royalty. The royalty will be flexible to regional differences, different quality of water, and its use. A bottled water royalty will be based on per litre and the royalty for irrigation water will be based on per 1000 litres.
We've talked about 1 cent per litre for bottlers and 1 or 2 cents per 1000 litres for farmers. We've also been clear that we will resolve the question of iwi interests in water and we will settle the Treaty claim that is recognised by the Waitangi Tribunal. No other party is saying that.
2. No. This is about fighting for clean rivers, acknowledging there is a cost to that and finding a fair solution. Over the last decade, cities have improved their water quality, and people in the cities have paid for that, for better sewerage treatment and cleaner practices in factories. Meanwhile, our rural sector rivers are getting worse.
We're saying the rural sector should make a small contribution to the clean-up of our rivers so that we can all swim in our local rivers in summer.
3. There's been a lot of scaremongering about this, but if farmers passed on the cost it would equate to a fraction of a cent per cabbage. Milk and cheese is set by the international price, not locally.
Maori Party: Marama Fox 1. We support the Waitangi Tribunal's decision that Maori have rights in water akin to ownership therefore royalties should be paid and decided upon through consultation - not at the extent that Labour have outlined. This needs to be a community decision where Maori rights are recognised in water allocation and businesses shouldn't get to benefit from corporate welfare with no regard to our waterways, their pollution and flow levels. We first need to provide clean drinking water to all home from the tap then decide upon fair allocation model with all stakeholders. Lastly, we need to develop local water storage options for land owners that don't include dams across our awa. Mana o te Wai must be paramount.
2. Any tax of this nature must be considered and debated vigorously. The Land and Water Forum has made recommendations to the Government that need to be implemented. The Iwi Leaders Group have a unified view that Māori must be at the table of discussions where rights in water are recognised. There should be no fear of splitting the region if we all agree that what happens at the head of the awa effects everything along its path to the ngutu awa or river mouth. Therefore, regional councils have to be accountable for the detrimental decisions of allocation and consent that have degraded the water quality across the nation. Riparian planting must be locally sourced natives not willows that suck oxygen out of the water. Grading the bottom of the river must stop now as it reduces the depth of the water, raising the temperature and increasing algae bloom. Discharging sewage by local councils into rivers must stop now!! It is abhorrent to think our councils allow this filthy practice. Connect all homes to clean water sources.
3. Yes, however, when you pay for your resource you respect it and use it wisely while research and development is the key. Local water storage options to provide for the needs of all. Moisture probes that monitor and inform irrigation needs for optimal production to reduce waste. Establish a drinkable standard or at least restore water to its pristine state. Water is a human right to sustain life - business driven by profit should not command rights to water at the expense of the population. It makes no sense to give our water away to be bottled and sold back to us when the well runs dry or is contaminated by poor management and exploitation. When profit is more important than people we all lose. Those businesses in the bay that provide social dividend through strong worker support practices and ensure environmental sustainability must be acknowledged and commended. We must all work together.