Which political party will look after our environment? PHOTO/FILE
Which political party will look after our environment? PHOTO/FILE
In the lead-up to the election we’re taking a look at some of the issues Kiwis care about and how the political parties aim to tackle them. Today we explore environmental issues and ask what we’re doing to keep our slice of paradise clean and green.
Kiwis are passionate about the environment, and are quick to voice concerns about any political move to change environmental legislation.
While some see the economic benefits of freeing up natural resources for commercial use, others favour a protectionist approach, even taking to the streets in protest to be heard.
A 2013 Lincoln University survey on public perceptions of the environment found for the most part, Kiwis believed our environment was "adequately managed", but had concerns about management of rivers, lakes, groundwater, and marine fisheries.
Earlier this year the Sustainability Council said New Zealand needed to move quickly to a green economy, which involved keeping the environment clean and fixing it where it's broken, using less energy and fuel, changing our transport habits, managing plantations responsibly and cutting our greenhouse gas emissions. Here's a recap of some issues that have prompted political debate in the past year.
Early last year the Government announced its intention to reform the RMA with a raft of changes it said were designed to encourage community input into appropriate resource use occurring at the local government planning stage, and streamline consent processes.
However, the reforms attracted widespread criticism from environmental groups and political opposition.
The proposed changes to sections six and seven of part two of the act drew heavy criticism amid concerns they would erode environmental protections in favour of economic imperatives.
Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment Jan Wright said the changes tipped the balance too far in favour of economic development, which she felt was already provided for in the legislation.
Labour labelled the reforms a "power grab", and Forest and Bird was alarmed at the proposal for more direct ministerial intervention in consent processes.
United Future and the Maori Party blocked the reforms, saying although the RMA needed tidying up, the reforms removed the RMA's emphasis on the "maintenance and enhancement of the quality of the environment". The changes were put on hold, but Environment Minister Nick Smith said at the start of August the Government intended to pursue its reforms if re-elected.
Dr Smith said reform was overdue, and National wanted to include recognition of national hazards, advance legislative reform concerning marine reserves, and finish legislation for better reporting on freshwater, air quality, biodiversity and oceans.
Labour said it planned to oppose any further attempts to reform the RMA.
Our water
Legislation on water quality affects people from every sector of society, from farmers to fishermen and everyone in between who wants fresh drinking water and plenty of it. In 2012 the Ministry for the Environment found more than half of Kiwi recreational river sites were unsafe for swimming.
In a November 2013 report Parliamentary Commissioner Jan Wright said mass conversion of land to dairy was linked to deterioration of water quality because of the harmful run-off of nutrients such as phosphorus and nitrate.
In July the Government announced new national minimum standards for river and lake water quality as part of an updated National Policy Statement on Freshwater Management.
The new standards were designed to balance economic growth with environmental stability, said Primary Ministries Minister Nathan Guy.
However, the Greens said the standards did not go far enough, and would mean rivers only needed to be clean enough for wading or boating, not swimming.
Our seas
Controversy over deep-sea oil drilling saw Kiwis protesting in the streets, on beaches, and on the seas at the end of last year and early this year.
The Government's decision to allow overseas oil giants such as Anadarko to conduct exploratory drilling off New Zealand's coasts met widespread public disapproval, as people feared oil spills and increasing foreign control of New Zealand resources.
Which party promises to look after our protected species?
The Greens say they would prohibit all deep-sea oil drilling, implement compulsory shipping lanes for coastal shipping, build Maritime NZ's response capacity, and tighten legal responses to foreign companies spilling oil in NZ. In July Labour announced a Labour government would continue deep-sea drilling, but would tighten safety regulations.
A selection of party policies so far
Greens Control lake and river pollution, maintain genetic engineering regulation, improve air quality, educate on sustainability, uphold the RMA.
Internet Mana A 10-year target to have 100 per cent of the country's energy coming from natural resources, encourage "smart cities" and "green data centres".
United Future Create recreational fishing reserves where commercial fishing is banned, educate young people about ocean management.
Maori Party Iwi monitoring and involvement in water quality management, expand the mandate of the Environmental Protection Authority, support businesses to become more environmentally friendly.
Labour Irrigation water take charges for farmers, a goal for all rivers to be swimmable within a generation, increased protection for Maui's dolphin, more funding to fight kauri dieback disease.
National RMA reforms, improved environmental reporting, reviewing the status of stewardship land, advancing a national park for Northland kauri forests.
• Labour and National are yet to release their full environmental policies.
