Our Environment – What’s Your View?

What’s your view on how we should look after the region’s air, waterways, coasts, soils and biodiversity? It’s a question that Greater Wellington Regional Council is asking the community in a two-month series of workshops around the region, starting this week.

“This is a timely discussion – our environmental monitoring shows that the region’s natural resources are increasingly under threat from business and urban development. And there’s a groundswell of concern in the community over pollution in rivers and streams, coastal erosion, air quality, and the increasing demand for water,” says Greater Wellington Chair Fran Wilde.

“We also know that three-quarters of the region’s economy depends on natural resources – so protecting those resources is necessary for our region to survive and thrive. But a regional council can’t do this on its own – the support of the community, business and other agencies is essential,” says Cr Wilde.

Greater Wellington’s community workshops are the first step in developing a regional plan for managing our natural resources. The aim of the workshops is to get as much community input as possible, using a “bottom-up” approach.

“Anyone with an interest in a healthy environment should come to these meetings. Whether you’re involved in food gathering, recreation, land clearance and development, environmental tourism, farming, ecology, fishing and hunting, drainage, water use, adventure sports, and cultural heritage – you all have a stake in this,” says Cr Wilde.

Te Waari Carkeek, co-chair alongside Cr Wilde of Te Upoko Taiao, Greater Wellington’s Natural Resource Management Committee, says that the involvement of iwi partners and wider Māori communities is being sought so that Māori cultural values and views are included in the development of the new regional plan.

“This is all about getting the best regional plan so our environment is protected and the region has a sustainable future,” says Te Waari.

How can I be involved?

Attend one of the 16 community workshops throughout the region, commencing on 7 July in Martinborough and concluding on 9 September at Rongotai College in Wellington. (Discussions will also be held with regional iwi groups, local councils and with primary and secondary school students.)

Complete an online survey about the state and management of our natural resources at www.gw.govt.nz/valuing-our-environment.

ENDS

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