Changing Drains Into Ecosystems
A drain is sometimes considered a negative word associated with depletion, exhaustion and loss of resources.
The Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment Dr Jan Wright has released the update to her 2012 report, Water quality in New Zealand: Understanding the Science.
The update re-canvases some of the issues the report initially raised and reviews the responses from Government, Parliament, and relevant sector organisations.
Wright says the initial report was designed to shine light into the often heated debate about New Zealand's water quality.
"My intention with this report was to provide a clear and simple guide to the science of water quality so that debate about our waterways was properly informed.
"The report has been largely successful in this respect and is currently being used as a reference by MPs, by journalists, and in schools and at least one university.
"A year and a half on from the release of this report there are still many serious issues with water quality in New Zealand, particularly nutrient pollution, and I'll be releasing a report focused on this matter in the near future."
OPINION: Farmers around the country are welcoming the proposed reform of local government.
A move to boost farmer uptake of low methane emitting sheep is underway.
Silver Fern Farms has tackled the ongoing war-induced shipping challenges to mideast markets by airlifting 90 tonnes of chilled New Zealand lamb and beef to the United Arab Emirates.
The primary sector is leading New Zealand's economic recovery, according to economist and researcher Cameron Bagrie.
Dairy industry leader Jim van der Poel didn't make much of the invitation he received to the recent New Zealand Dairy Industry Awards in Rotorua.
Farmers around the country are going public big time, demanding their local district, city and regional councils come up with amalgamation plans that meet the needs of rural communities and don't allow urban councils to dominate.