Environment Minister Nick Smith says people in Canterbury should give Government-appointed commissioners a chance to address the region's water problems.
More than 3000 people attended a rally in Cathedral Square in Christchurch on Sunday to protest at how water is being managed in Canterbury, as well as the sacking of the regional council.
The decision to replace the council with commissioners was made in March, after the Government raised concerns about its management of fresh water.
The Our Water, Our Vote coalition, which organised the protest, says that was an affront on democracy and will lead to abuse of the environment in order to make money.
The minister, Nick Smith, says he shares concerns about water quality and extensive dairying and says that's why a highly skilled group of commissioners was appointed.
'Two basic rights' taken away
A number of people spoke to Sunday's crowd, including poet Brian Turner, cathedral dean Peter Beck and the director of Coast to Coast, Robin Judkins.
Mr Judkins says two basic rights were taken from Cantabrians - the right to clean water and the right to vote on who represents them on this issue.
He says extensive dairy farming in the region is destroying the environment and needs to stop.
A cairn of river stones was left in the centre of the square, where it will remain, the organisers say, till the elected regional council is reinstated.
