The Government has announced their proposed new freshwater policy and much of it looks promising. The proposals will go a long way to restore waterways in New Zealand by curbing pollution and improving protection for wetland habitats – but there are some risks.

As you know, trout and salmon are valued species for a huge number of New Zealanders. They provide an incredible recreational resource and support a thriving tourism industry, as well engendering significant environmental advocacy.

That’s why we need you to submit and/or attend your local public meeting.

Together, we need to make the case for specific recognition of trout and salmon to ensure this valuable resource is properly provided for in the new standards to protect water quality.

As well as this, as a country we need proper safeguards to protect our waterways from further pollution and exploitation, so they are safe for swimming, fishing and gathering food.

Your experience as an angler and/or game bird hunter means you are best placed to help the Government and let them know how water quality can be protected.

The three things to push for during this consultation:

• Nationally-set standards not industry set standards
• Nitrogen cap
• Recognition of trout and salmon in the proposed fresh water policy

We have put up a website to help you make a submission: www.saveourstreams.nz. Please share this with your friends, family, fellow hunters and anglers, and anyone you know that has an interest in protecting our water.

Public consultation meetings are running for the next two weeks and we must make an impression. Our goal is to make sure people like you are speaking up at these meetings to defend strong freshwater rules.

The meetings are ‘café style’ and Ministry staff will be there to discuss a number of topics. One of the most important topics for discussion will be Government action on healthy waterways. We want our calls for strong and effective freshwater policy heard loud and clear.

Your local meeting is at:

16/09/19 Tauranga Armitage Hotel, 9 Willow Street 5.30-7.30pm

23/09/19 Hamilton Gardens Pavilion, 5.30 – 7.30pm

24/09/19 Pukekohe 5.30pm – 7.30pm, venue TBC will be provided at https://www.mfe.govt.nz/consultations/public-meetings.

25/09/19 Auckland, 5.30pm – 7.30pm, venue TBC will be provided at https://www.mfe.govt.nz/consultations/public-meetings.

You don’t have to be an expert to go to these meetings and support action to clean up our rivers. But we’ve put together a briefing so that you do have all the info you need. Click here to download the briefing.

We hope to send you more information to help with more detailed submissions on the Government’s freshwater policy later this month.

It’s so important to make sure the Government hears more voices from hunters and anglers at public meetings and in submissions. I hope you can help.

Meeting info is here https://www.mfe.govt.nz/consultations/public-meetings.

Your sincerely,

Martin Taylor
Chief Executive
Fish & Game New Zealand