Community Voice ‘Essential’ For Canterbury’s Freshwater Issues

Thursday, 30 January 2025, 10:07 pm
Article: David Hill - Local Democracy Reporter

The Canterbury Mayoral Forum - a group of local government leaders - plans to replace the region’s water zone committees with new local freshwater leadership groups.

The zone committees were designed to provide a community voice to advise local councils and Environment Canterbury (ECan) on local water issues.

The chairs of the Kaikōura and Waimakariri water zone committees say they are optimistic the community voice will be retained as part of the review.

Kaikōura Zone Committee chairperson Ted Howard said he was optimistic his committee’s work would continue.

‘‘Nothing is guaranteed in politics, but the feedback we’ve had from our local council is they want us to keep doing what we’re doing.

‘‘But the devil will be in the detail.’’

Waimakariri Zone Committee chairperson Carolyne Latham said local community input is "essential".

‘‘I think there will be some facility within the new structure to retain community members, but it will be up to the new leadership groups to decide how that will work.’’

Committees currently have up to six community members appointed alongside council and mana whenua representatives.

The role of the zone committee had evolved, with the initial focus on developing freshwater rules, she said.

In recent the years the committee had supported the development of local catchment groups, the Waimakariri Biodiversity Trust and the Waimakariri Landcare Trust.

The Hurunui-Waiau Zone Committee was the first to be established in 2010 with the purpose of writing local freshwater rules under the Canterbury Water Management Strategy (CWMS).

While the Kaikōura and Waimakariri committees have continued to be active, the Hurunui-Waiau Zone Committee was disbanded five years ago.

It has since been replaced by a land and water committee under the Hurunui District Council.

While the new model has yet to be finalised, Hurunui Mayor Marie Black said the freshwater leadership groups will have representatives from local councils, ECan and mana whenua.

She said there will likely be scope for communities to continue much as they are now with local appointees.

‘‘Listening to other zone committees, some are working well.

‘‘It is about recognising the needs of local communities and hearing the voices of the councils, community and iwi.

‘‘Nothing stays the same forever and we’ve got to be courageous and look at something new which is going to give better outcomes.’’

Canterbury Mayoral Forum chairperson Nigel Bowen said zone committees have made ‘‘an enduring contribution’’ for freshwater management in the region.

Zone committees will continue as they are until June, with the Canterbury Mayoral Forum due to meet in May to discuss the proposed new model.

LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.

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