The Labour Party believes water will become a huge issue for the whole country.
New leader David Cunliffe has created a new stand-alone portfolio to make the matter a priority on the Opposition benches and Meka Whaitiri - the new MP for Ikaroa-Rawhiti - will be water issues spokesperson.
Mr Cunliffe says the water portfolio was previously absorbed by the finance and economic development spokespeople.
However, separating it and giving it to an up-and-coming politician in Meka Whaitiri makes it clear it is going to be a huge issue for New Zealand in the future.
There are environmental and economic and development issues linked to water, Mr Cunliffe says.
