29 May 2020

Iwi leader wants freshwater rules to go further

From Morning Report, 7:48 am on 29 May 2020

New rules around freshwater are being labelled a missed opportunity by the iwi chairs forum.

The government has imposed tough new rules to improve freshwater quality.

There'll be new limits on high-risk farm practices and interim limits on agricultural intensification.

Higher health standards will also be required for popular swimming spots, and urban waterways will have to be cleaned up. The government says it will be guided by matauranga Māori in its implementation.

But Chair of the Freshwater Iwi Leaders Group, Rukumoana Schaafhausen, told Mani Dunlop that the rules don't go far enough.