Water pollution the number one concern for New Zealanders in new poll

Wednesday, 2 January 2019

The state of New Zealand's waterways is the number one concern facing New Zealanders, according to a new Colmar Brunton poll.

A new opinion poll has revealed pollution in New Zealand's rivers and lakes is worrying Kiwis more than any other issue.

The nation-wide Colmar Brunton poll conducted for Fish & Game New Zealand in December showed that 82 per cent of people surveyed were extremely or very concerned about the issue.

Freshwater pollution was also the top concern, beating living costs and the health system, which were 78 per cent and and 72 per cent respectively. Four percent of the respondents said they were not that concerned with the pollution of lakes and rivers.

The health system was third with 78 percent, followed by child poverty 72 percent, education and climate change both on 70 percent and housing 67 percent.

* Fish & Game warn of farmers' move to blunt environmental message**

This is the second year Colmar Brunton has conducted the survey for Fish and Game. Last year, water pollution was in second place with 75 percent of people expressing concern.

It showed the depth of feeling New Zealanders have about their rivers, lakes and streams, Fish & Game New Zealand chief executive Martin Taylor said.

'This opinion poll result shows they are fed up and want action on this issue.'

He said the poll came as no surprise. It was ranked number three during the election, 'and it's been going up [in concern] while water quality's been going down.

'I was surprised at 82 per cent. I though that was high and it certainly indicates the level of concern Kiwi's have about the condition of their rivers, lakes and streams.'

New Zealanders knew that water quality was falling, had been raised as an issue for over a decade and regional councils were now warning people to check first before swimming in case the waterway was polluted, he said.

'That really resonates with Kiwis.'

The dairy boom had resulted in most of New Zealand's lowland streams are going to be unfit for swimming for food collection and for swimming.

'That's what we have let happen.'

The poll also gave the government a mandate to undergo meaningful reform in 2019 while local government had to do a better job of enforcing the rules, he said.

While many farmers were making the necessary changes around land use, there were still significant numbers that were refusing to follow their example.

'These laggards are letting down the responsible farmers, undermining farming's reputation and exhausting the public's patience.'

DairyNZ chief executive Tim Mackle said dairy had an important role to play in cleaning up waterways with about 15 per cent of New Zealand's streams run through dairy farms.

Mackle said claims that intensified farming contributes to water quality declines were both accurate and misleading.

'The reality is that all types of land use contribute to water quality – and that farming, whether it's vegetables, fruit, beef, sheep, dairy, deer or even wine – must all work together to make sure waterways are protected.

'The most polluted rivers actually run through urban centers, and this is where the public can do their bit too.

The poll was conducted from December 5-12 and surveyed 1000 people.