Radio New Zealand - Te Reo Irirangi o Aotearoa

Outdoor groups join forces to save wild rivers

Updated at 3:04pm on 28 October 2009

Outdoor groups have launched a campaign to save wild rivers, saying the Government should do more to protect them.

Eight organisations in the Wild Rivers campaign say they represent more than 100,000 people.

They include The Royal New Zealand Forest and Bird Protection Society, Fish and Game and Federated Mountain Clubs.

Forest and Bird claims there is a growing threat to rivers, with hydro projects planned for rivers such as the Hurunui in Canterbury and indications that water conservation orders could be scrapped.

It says the Government could do more to manage irrigation supplies and promote electricity conservation.

It says the ''rush" to build hydro dams and divert water for irrigation could see the last wild river gone in just over a decade.

MPs will be invited to take part in variious activities on some of the rivers seen as threatened, at the end of November.

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