Radio New Zealand - Te Reo Irirangi o Aotearoa

Environment & Conservation

The questions we asked

• 100%Pure
  The adverts say '100% Pure'. How pure are we?
• Water Quality
  Water in New Zealand is not as plentiful or pure as it once was. How would you address water quality and limitations on quantity? Or are those concerns for regional authorities?
• Soil
  Do you have plans to address soil loss or soil health on farmland?
• Sediment and run-off
  How would you address the impact of sediments and run-off from agriculture on the health of inshore coastal waters and fish nursery grounds?
• Marine reserves
  Do you have plans to increase the number of marine reserves?
• Ocean protection
  The Census of Marine Life wrapped up a decade of global research last year, and highlighted that fisheries, hydrocarbon and mineral extraction have the greatest impact on deep seas now, and that climate change will have in the future. Is the new Exclusive Economic Zone and Continental Shelf (Environmental Effects) Bill enough to protect marine life from the negative impacts of mineral and energy prospecting, extraction, or of fishing? If not, what more needs to be done?
• Ocean drilling
  Do you support energy prospecting in the ocean?
• Ross Sea
  Do you support the current proposal to protect the Ross Sea in the Southern Ocean?
• Alternative energy
  What plans do you have (if any) to support the development of alternative, clean energy sources?
• Conservation estate
  Are New Zealand’s conservation estate and conservation efforts sufficiently resourced or correctly prioritised?

Responses from parties in parliament

National

Declined to answer this question.

Labour

Not as pure as the Prime Minister would have us believe on the BBC 'Hardtalk’ programme, obviously. While he shrugged off Massey University scientist Mike Joy’s view on the state of our rivers by saying he was just one scientist, and like lawyers, you can always find another with a counter view, the fact remains that our lowland rivers are in a serious state of decline, and the Government’s National Policy Statement on Freshwater will do nothing to halt that decline. Labour subsequently proved the Yale research upon which John Key was basing his views was woefully inadequate. We’re really about 25th on the international scale for water quality, not second, as he would have us believe.  We cannot afford to be complacent.

Green

Sadly, our environmental reality is far from pure. We are not doing enough to look after or protect our natural environment. Our kids have birthright to swim in our rivers and sea and to enjoy our beautiful country, but unfortunately half our monitored rivers are unsafe to swim in. Our biodiversity is in decline. Plans are underway for lignite plants and deep sea oil drilling. And we have failed to commit to meaningful reductions in our greenhouse gas emissions. While the National Government talks of balancing the needs of the environment and the economy, we know that the environment is the economy, and that our competitive advantage lies in our safeguarding our natural resources. The Green Party would seek to make the ‘100% pure’ brand a reality.

ACT

Has not yet answered this question.

Maori

Has not yet answered this question.

United Future

UnitedFuture believes that New Zealand needs to do a lot more than we are now to live up to the “100% pure, clean and green” image. In fact, the brand is a charade; the facts do not back it up. Major environmental issues such as the worsening state of our fresh water quality, the exploitation of our wild rivers and the ongoing use of aerial 1080 poison prove that “100% pure” is more myth than reality. UnitedFuture will prohibit aerial 1080 poisoning, secure greater protection of our few remaining wild rivers, cleanup rivers already degraded and make agriculture formally accountable for the impact it has over fresh water quality.

Mana

Has not yet answered this question.

National

Declined to answer this question

Labour

The last Labour government set up a board of inquiry to prepare a National Policy Statement on freshwater management. The resulting draft NPS would have required strong action on the impact agricultural intensification is having on water quality. The draft NPS was broadly backed by the widely representative Land and Water Forum.

The National Government then gutted the draft NPS. The NPS on Freshwater Management 2011 only requires regional councils to adopt water quality standards by 2030. No overall national standards are required – each council is left to work out its own. This will lead to expensive and time-consuming conflict over water quality standards region by region. By 2030 our rivers are likely to be even more polluted than they are now. Labour will urgently strengthen the NPS on Freshwater Management 2011 in line with that proposed by the board of inquiry.

Green

Freshwater lakes and rivers in New Zealand are in crisis. Our waterways face increased pollution from agriculture, horticulture and sewerage, and increased demand from irrigation, industry and urban use. As a result, half of our monitored rivers are unsafe for swimming, a third of our lakes are unhealthy, and two thirds of our freshwater fish species are at risk. The Greens have been leading the charge on this issue, both in and out of Parliament. We recently released Clean Rivers, our plan to make our rivers and lakes clean enough to swim in again. We will: Set standards for clean water; Introduce a fair charge for irrigation water; Support water clean-up initiatives.

Water quality and quantity is a responsibility of central government. Regional councils implement and regulate policy on the ground, but they need leadership and direction from central government.

ACT

Has not yet answered this question.

Maori

Has not yet answered this question.

United Future

UnitedFuture’s primary objectives for the National Policy Statement on Freshwater would have been to give primacy to the preservation of the environmental and recreational sustainability of our waterways. We wish to see minimum flows set above current levels to preserve not only the ecological value but the recreational and amenity value of our rivers. The current NPS does not go far enough to preserve the environmental integrity of our rivers. It needs to be revisited in order to ensure all our waterways and lakes are safe for fishing, swimming and food gathering.

Mana

MANA will work to require councils to ban point source discharges of human waste water and stormwater into waterways by 2020. Tangata whenua retain rights to use and regulate water resources on their own lands for domestic purposes. Freshwater takes for irrigation purposes will be limited to two years and will be reviewed on a biannual basis. 

National

Declined to answer this question.

Labour

Labour will discourage farming systems that have the potential to undermine our reputation for the highest standards of environmental, animal welfare and food safety in our food and fibre production. We will work with High Country Lessees to ensure the best protection of the multiple values of this iconic land.

Labour also will assist the planting and sustainable management of indigenous forests on private farmland to offset emissions and provide sustainable supplies of high value indigenous timber. We will provide support for biological and organic farming systems to provide alternative economic solutions to the costs and environmental impacts of intensive production systems.

Green

Yes, we see soil health as being critical to the health of our food, our people, our animals and our waterways. Good farming practices will leave soil healthy, fertile and on the land; poor farming practices will lead to erosion, soil loss and sedimentation of rivers. It’s about matching land use to the land’s capability, selecting appropriate stocking numbers, and carefully budgeting nutrient inputs. We would promote and incentivise sustainable land use practices, in the following ways: Increasing the Sustainable Farming Fund; Extending the development and implementation of sustainable land and water management plans at catchment level and farm level.

Providing incentives to match land use to land use capability; Requiring Landcorp farms to implement and model sustainable farming techniques.

ACT

Has not yet answered this question.

Maori

Has not yet answered this question.

United Future

Yes, forest planting of marginal land and riparian strips and more efficient use of nitrogen-based fertilisers and nitrogen inhibitors.

Mana

Soil health is best supported and maintained by GE-free, nanotechnology-free, pesticide and chemical-free food production.  We will promote and resource organic food production, including huaparakore foods and extend current funding for the establishment of maarakai by whanau, marae, and communities. MANA supports research into bioremediation of toxic materials using nature’s own micro-organisms.

National

Declined to answer this question.

Labour

New Zealand farming production relies heavily on urea (nitrogen) and, to a lesser extent, phosphorus-based fertilisers. Urea in particular is a key driver of poor water quality. To improve water quality, urea use needs to be much better managed. Effluent run-off can also better addressed by such measures such as nutrient budgeting, better effluent storage, stand-off pads and fencing stock out of waterways.

Labour will encourage nutrient budgeting and mitigating measures to reduce runoff and waste. We will also encourage farmers to minimise urea use through better storage of effluent and its reapplication to the land.

Green

This is an extension of the problem addressed in question two; whether it is our rivers and lakes becoming polluted with agricultural run-off, or our coastal waters and fisheries, the solutions are the same. Set clear standards for water quality; and prioritise water clean-up initiatives.

ACT

Has not yet answered this question.

Maori

Has not yet answered this question.

United Future

Limit the runoff through policies such as those above and promote reforestation.

Mana

We will introduce greater regulations to plant and animal farming practices to reduce environmental damage and improve water quality, including introducing stock number limits by region. Discharges into waterways need to meet food gathering standards.

National

Declined to answer this question.

Labour

Labour has plans to increase the number of marine reserves, and we will be releasing the details soon.

Green

Yes, the Green Party strongly supports the creation of more marine reserves. The New Zealand Biodiversity Strategy (2000) had a goal of 10% of New Zealand’s marine environment in a network of Marine Protected Areas by 2010, but successive Governments have failed dismally in this area; we currently only have 0.32% in marine reserves. The Greens would pass the Marine Reserves Bill within the first six months in office, and work quickly to establish a network of reserves that represent all marine ecosystem types.

ACT

Has not yet answered this question.

Maori

Has not yet answered this question.

United Future

Establish a graduated comprehensive system of marine protection for the entire marine environment whereby no-take marine reserves are one of several available categories of protection (the category that affords the maximum level of restrictions); Seek to abandon the percentage approach to marine reserves and other protected areas as it is too arbitrary and is not necessary or useful as a marine management tool.

Mana

The tangata whenua of each rohe need to be consulted on this.  Rahui may be preferred as a protection mechanism.

National

Declined to answer this question.

Labour

Labour opposed this Bill in the House because it emphasises economic benefits, rather than environmental protection.  Where the EEZ Bill “sought a balance between protection of the environment and economic development” the Resource Management Act, by comparison, has the sole purpose of “promoting the sustainable management of natural and physical resources". Labour believes the marine environment needs the same degree of protection provided to land through the RMA.

Green

We support the introduction of an EEZ Bill to fill a significant gap in our legislative framework. However, we have serious reservations about some aspects of the Bill, and we have little faith that it can safeguard our oceans from the threat of deep sea oil drilling.  The Greens are calling for a Commission of Inquiry into ocean governance, to undertake a comprehensive review of all possible mechanisms for regulating our oceans.

ACT

Has not yet answered this question.

Maori

Has not yet answered this question.

United Future

We support the legislation as it is the first protective measure of this type.

Mana

MANA did not support the Bill as opens the EEZ to overexploitation from foreign corporations to the detriment of the marine environment. MANA is calling for government to recognise, resource, and cooperate with tangata whenua to properly protect the marine environment.

National

Declined to answer this question.

Labour

Labour will release policy relating to this issue during the campaign.

Green

No. Deep sea oil drilling is a highly risky industry, there can be no guarantee of safety. We simply don’t have the capacity to deal with a serious deepwater leak like the Gulf disaster last year. Our beautiful coastline and unique marine biodiversity is too precious to put at risk.

ACT

Has not yet answered this question.

Maori

Has not yet answered this question.

United Future

Proposals within the EEZ should be considered on a case-by-case basis.

Mana

No.  Imported ocean turbines are not a sustainable alternative. 

National

Declined to answer this question.

Labour

Labour will release policy relating to this issue during the campaign.

Green

Yes, we support this initiative and the protection of the Ross Sea’s Antarctic Toothfish from fishing.

ACT

Has not yet answered this question.

Maori

Has not yet answered this question.

United Future

Yes.

Mana

Has not yet answered this question.

National

Declined to answer this question.

Labour

The volumes of electricity produced by hydro and fossil fuel thermal power stations are highly controllable. This assists our electricity system in matching supply with demand. Moving to renewable sources of energy may require new infrastructure that can manage the variability of solar and wind power. For example, in the future, homeowners might generate more electricity through their own wind turbines or solar panels than they can use. But there is currently no system in place to allow smaller energy producers to sell this electricity back to the national grid. We will also need to create a better system for longer term storage of renewable energy such as wind and solar.

Green

We are lucky to live in a country rich in renewable energy sources, and we want to make the most of our natural assets. Our electricity needs can be almost 100% met from renewable sources. As detailed in our recent Green Jobs package, we would partner our publicly owned energy companies with clean tech entrepreneurs in the private sector, and develop renewable energy solutions that we can utilise here in New Zealand, as well as patent and export abroad.
To assist the transition to renewables, we would also: Require energy retailers to buy or generate a proportion of their sales from renewable resources; Help district and regional councils plan for wind farm sites; Support a programme to install solar water heating panels on government and private buildings; Investigate the potential of woody biomass, biofuels, and energy from waves, tides and currents.

ACT

Has not yet answered this question.

Maori

Has not yet answered this question.

United Future

Invest in small-scale localised electricity generation projects. Reducing our reliance and burden on the national transmission grid. Upgrade the national grid to ensure security of supply. Resist new big-scale hydro-electricity schemes that require the damming of untouched ‘wild rivers’ such as the Mokihinui.

Mana

MANA promotes investment in widespread, small-scale, sustainable energy generation by households and communities, such as solar, wind, and micro-hydro. We will invest in a national biocrop/biodiesel initiative from lands not suitable for food crops or farming, including Maori-owned lands, to create energy independence. We will invest in the research and development of clean energy systems.

National

Declined to answer this question.

Labour

Since National took office 403 jobs have been cut (including the latest 96) at DOC. That’s out of an original total of 2524 – so it’s one in six staff. National initially maintained it was just backroom staff. But how can you protect your threatened species when you have sacked all your ecologists? The cuts follow the Government's announcement in 2009 that DOC's budget would be cut by $54 million over four years. And pest control on DOC land – that’s a vital function if we are to prevent ecosystem collapse – is only touching about one-eighth of the estate. National’s view of the Conservation Estate is that it must pay its own way, or even turn a profit. Currently, 4500 concession-holders earn DOC about $13.5 million annually. This Government wants that dramatically expanded.

Labour believes our natural environment is central to our sense of identity. The Conservation Department must be adequately resourced.

Green

No. We are facing the biggest biodiversity crisis in New Zealand’s history. Around 2000 of our native species are faced with extinction. Introduced pests are devastating our forests and the species that live in them. Only an eighth of our conservation estate is actively managed for pest control. In the face of this, the Government has cut $54 million from DOC’s budget, further compromising their ability to deal with the crisis. Scientific staff have been lost and DOC’s advocacy role has been undermined.
We are also concerned at the Government’s new ‘business’ model for DOC. DOC’s mandate under the Conservation Act is to protect New Zealand’s natural and historic heritage for its own sake, not develop the conservation estate for economic gain.

The Greens would adequately fund DOC to carry out its primary conservation role, and remove their commercial imperative.

ACT

Has not yet answered this question.

Maori

Has not yet answered this question.

United Future

We are particularly concerned at the attitude of the Department towards recreational users such as large game hunters and fishers. As a consequence, UnitedFuture wants to ensure that the Department of Conservation is required to consult with, and genuinely take into account the views of all relevant stakeholder groups in a fair, balanced and transparent way.

Mana

Government needs to better recognise, resource, and cooperate with tangata whenua in protecting tetaiao. MANA will ban the use of 1080 and invest in alternative methods (and employment opportunities) to control pest and rodents.