Merepeka Raukawa-Tait: Listening the first step

Fulbright scholar Christina Walker who produced a documentary highlighting local dairy farmers.

I am pleased I attended the recent screening of American Fulbright scholar Christina Walker's documentary.

The Milkman's Paradox highlights Rotorua dairy farmers and the responsibility placed on them to clean up Lake Rotorua. There is something compelling about hearing from the farming families themselves, and how they are affected by this decision. In the documentary, they talked honestly about the changes proposed by the Bay of Plenty Regional Council. These are families who love their farms and clearly want to do right by the environment. However, as one of the farmers said, "We are being asked to remedy a situation that we didn't cause." This generation of farmers have to bear the burden of history. The average age of groundwater entering the lake is 60 years old.

Miss Walker has stated: "In terms of lake water quality, the problems are intergenerational and are not just the fault of the farming community today."

Watching the farmers talk about their farms you gain an understanding of what they are having to cope with. And it isn't easy by any means. How do you strike that balance between environmental and economic sustainability? I heard that our water quality rules are viewed with suspicion. What struck me is that the farmers were very matter of fact. Not angry. Perhaps they're way past being angry and just want to do what they do best, farming. And want to be left alone to get on with it.

I saw a young mother, with a baby strapped to her back, going about her farm work. The baby will grow up with a love of the land learnt from an early age.

This is what has happened for generations. Family members working side by side in their farming businesses. The paradox is that farmers are being asked to increase milk production yet, at the same time, they have restrictions, with new environmental regulations, forced on them. These are causing alarm. There is widespread concern that the nutrient limits being imposed are wrong. Science tends to change over time, when more research is undertaken and new information becomes available.

Asking farmers to change their farming practices, even if over time, means it is their businesses that are underwriting the lake water restoration for the benefit of the whole community. Seems a little one-sided to me.

And I had another water experience last week, in Hastings at Bridge Pa. Mangaroa Marae hosted Paritoa Karewarewa river dinner for local farmers and winemakers. It was well attended by regional councillors and staff, and Hastings district councillors too.

Again, it was interesting to hear people telling stories of when great-grandparents first settled in the area and worked hard to develop their farms.

Forty years ago, there were no vineyards at Bridge Pa, but there are now 14 in close proximity to Mangaroa Marae.

One vineyard exports to 87 countries. The farmers and winemakers all need water to sustain their businesses, so it will take a "whole of community approach" to ensure there is enough water to go around.

The seafood dinner, with wine provided by local growers, was a great ice breaker. As one speaker said, "I thought farmers were the enemy, but it is hard to dislike someone once you get to talk to them and listen to their story." I couldn't agree more.

Sitting, talking and getting to know each other seems like a good start. Why continue to talk past each other when, with a little effort, you can get to know each other. Understanding then, won't seem so difficult.

- Merepeka lives in Rotorua. She writes, speaks and broadcasts to thwart the spread of political correctness.