Former Labour Cabinet Minister and Vice Chancellor of Massey University Steve Maharey spoke to The Country's Jamie Mackay today about the impasse between rural and urban New Zealand when it comes to our waterways.
Maharey agrees that there is a growing urban/rural divide over water quality but he believes he has a solution.
Steve Maharey's idea is to "rebrand" New Zealand as a "food producing nation" rather than an agricultural one. He says that if New Zealand is going to have a clean, green image for consumers overseas then we had better back it up by having the environmental pedigree to prove it.
If both urban and rural sectors get behind this idea Steve Maharey believes the divide can be bridged.
Could this work or is it wishful thinking? Have a listen to Steve Maharey's chat with Jamie Mackay in the audio clip above.
