Wednesday, 29 August 2018 09:55

No change to Nat’s water policy

Written by 
Simon Bridges. Simon Bridges.

National's position has not changed on a water tax or levy, says Opposition Leader Simon Bridges. 

“National will not introduce a tax or royalty on commercial water users – outside of a possible levy on water bottlers who export water,” he says.

Dairy News asked if the party’s position on a wider water tax had changed after he told a radio show he was open to a water tax on bottled water.

“Charging for water bottlers who export is a hard issue,” he told Dairy News. “In Government, we were working our way through it. Our water technical advisory group included the issues around export water in their considerations; that was due to report back in November last year.

“National’s view is we are open to charging water bottlers who export, but the policy needs to be developed carefully to ensure it is consistent, fair and workable. 

“Water policy can’t be done in isolation; it needs to be considered [in respect of] other big users such as soft drink manufacturers, beer producers, and irrigators and hydro power generators.   

“It also is tied up with the complex issue of iwi rights and interest in fresh water. This is a complicated issue which needs to be appropriately considered.”

Bridges had earlier told The AM Showthat if you put a price on water there will be a variety of interest groups, including iwi, taking you to court. 

Labour’s proposed 2c/1000L levy on commercial use was canned when the party did a deal with NZ First to form the government. NZ First only wanted the levy to apply to bottled water, saying Labour’s plan would result in cabbages costing $18 each, Newshub reported.

More like this

Farming needs policy certainty

National Party leader Simon Bridges explains his party's view on farming and where the Coalition Government is failing. 

Nats launch primary sector policies

A newly elected National government would offer special work visas for primary sector workers, instantly deport visitors breeching biosecurity laws and set up mobile health clinics for remote rural regions.

New career?

The Hound reckons former agriculture minister and speaker of the House David Carter is heeding calls for him to get out of the political game.

Nats want rural views

National is leaving behind last week’s rough and tumble of beltway politics – and the aftermath of the Jami-Lee Ross scandal – to take the pulse of rural New Zealand.

Featured

Dr Mike Joy says sorry, escapes censure

Academic Dr Mike Joy and his employer, Victoria University of Wellington have apologised for his comments suggesting that dairy industry CEOs should be hanged for contributing towards nitrate poisoning of waterways.

People-first philosophy pays off

The team meeting at the Culverden Hotel was relaxed and open, despite being in the middle of calving when stress levels are at peak levels, especially in bitterly cold and wet conditions like today.

Farmer anger over Joy's social media post

A comment by outspoken academic Dr Mike Joy suggesting that dairy industry leaders should be hanged for nitrate contamination of drinking/groundwater has enraged farmers.

From Nelson to Dairy Research: Amy Toughey’s Journey

Driven by a lifelong passion for animals, Amy Toughey's journey from juggling three jobs with full-time study to working on cutting-edge dairy research trials shows what happens when hard work meets opportunity - and she's only just getting started.

National

Machinery & Products

JDLink Boost for NZ farms

Connectivity is widely recognised as one of the biggest challenges facing farmers, but it is now being overcome through the…

New generation Defender HD11

The all-new 2026 Can-Am Defender HD11 looks likely to raise the bar in the highly competitive side-by-side category.

» Latest Print Issues Online

Milking It

Buttery prize

OPINION: Westland Milk may have won the contract to supply butter to Costco NZ but Open Country Dairy is having…

Gene Bill rumours

OPINION: The Gene Technology Bill has divided the farming community with strong arguments on both the pros and cons of…

» Connect with Dairy News

» eNewsletter

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter