Displaying items by tag: labour

The good work farmers are already doing to minimise the environmental impact of irrigation could stop if they had to pay water royalties, says Irrigation New Zealand chair Nicky Hyslop.

Call it what you like -- water tax, royalty on water use or a water use charge -- it’s an unfair proposal, another ploy by the Government to charge its coffers at the expense of the country’s hardworking farmers.

Federated Farmers water spokesman Chris Allen says with the absence of detail on Labour’s new water tax policy, voters will be sailing blind into the election.

Labour Party leader Jacinda Ardern says after National came into power it shelved the Environment Court judge David Sheppard’s national policy statement (NPS) initiated by the last Labour government.

If elected, Labour’s charge on water for irrigation will be a “small royalty” for all “substantial takes”, says spokesman for water and the environment David Parker.

The Labour Party has sent “blank invoices” to farmers around the country, says Primary Industries Minister Nathan Guy.

A Massey University agribusiness expert says Labour’s newly-announced water policy is problematic on several fronts.

Federated Farmers wants Labour to tell farmers “what numbers you have in mind."

Irrigation New Zealand chief executive Andrew Curtis says Labour's “water tax” would affect every New Zealander.

New Labour leader Jacinda Ardern says her party will slap a royalty on water usage if elected next month.