The Whose Water? question needs an answer

“The Government’s sustainable programme of action has become one of inaction” said political journalist Colin James in today’s panel discussion on Whose Water? at the New Zealand Water and Wastes Association 49th Annual Conference and Expo in Rotorua this week.

Keynote speaker Dr Manuka Henare of the Mira Szaszy Research Centre for Maori and Pacific Economic Development, University of Auckland, said that water ownership is an issue that needs to be addressed. Dr Henare said that we have to look at smarter ways of resolving major differences, we need to focus on reaching agreement on the questions beginning with what and why and that only then would it be possible to try to reach agreements on solutions.

He was joined on the panel by Joern Scherzer, Research Fellow at Ecological Foundation and Paul Majurey, Partner and Principal of the Maori Legal Group at Russell McVeagh.
Mr Majurey spoke of the Waikato River settlement with Tainui which followed legal processes in order to address the Whose Water? issue. He said that there is still a conflict in the law as to who, if anyone, owns the water and there is still a long legal distance to go in resolving this. “Treaty claims to use and control water are inconsistent with the Crown’s view of what’s right” said Mr Majurey in his closing comments.

Looking at the Nordic countries as examples, Mr Scherzer spoke of the consultation models they have to address controversial issues. “These are much better than New Zealand’s usual processes” he said.

“Working together on a solution to address the issue of water ownership in New Zealand has been highlighted in today’s discussion as a complex one, but fundamental for the planning of our future” said Simon Carlaw, Chief Executive of New Zealand Water and Wastes Association.

Over 1000 people including local and central government policy makers, engineers, planners, technicians, asset managers, operators and water industry specialists are attending the Conference and Expo today through until Friday lunchtime.

ENDS

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