4. Freshwater Management—Farming Practices and Water QualityCATHERINE DELAHUNTY (Green) to the Minister for the EnvironmentFreshwater Management—Farming Practices and Water Quality4. CATHERINE DELAHUNTY (Green) to the Minister for the Environment: Does he agree with the Prime Minister's Chief Science Advisor that some of the country's waterways have gone beyond a tipping point?Hon Dr NICK SMITH (Minister for the Environment): Yes. There are water bodies like Lake Forsyth in Canterbury and Lake Whangapē in the Waikato that have reached a tipping point which makes their restoration very challenging but none has crossed that point during this Government's term. I was advised in 2008 that three significant water bodies had a risk of crossing tipping points in the next decade: Lake Rotoiti in the Bay of Plenty the Wainono Lagoon in South Canterbury and the Waituna Lagoon in Southland. This Government's successful interventions in all three of those have resulted in that risk being averted and in marked improvements in the water quality being achieved. Catherine Delahunty: Is the current intensive farming model exacerbating poor water quality?Hon Dr NICK SMITH: It is not as simplistic as Professor Gluckman's report concludes—that simply intensification automatically results in water quality deterioration. For instance well-designed water storage schemes like those that have occurred with the central plains can actually result in water quality improvements and increased agricultural production.Catherine Delahunty: Does he think it is reasonable to continue to allow agricultural intensification when Sir Peter's report shows that the effects of farming now will still be felt in 100 years or more meaning future generations are left to foot the bill and fix the problem of dirty water?Hon Dr NICK SMITH: The member is firstly incorrect in simply concentrating on agriculture. The member shows a blind spot in that the report shows our most polluted areas are actually in urban environments and that is where this Government's approach is that both urban and rural New Zealanders need to lift their game around water quality.Catherine Delahunty: As the Minister for the Environment will he advocate on behalf of Aotearoa's waterways and ensure their protection by calling for the Government to move away from its intensive farming model?Hon Dr NICK SMITH: This Government has introduced the first national policy statement and limits on nutrients and on ammonia and has seen over 18 catchments—there were none when we became the Government—having limits on intensification. But where we differ from the Green Party is that a complete freeze on the growth of agriculture is not a sensible approach to this issue and there are many water development schemes that can deliver both water quality improvements and jobs for rural communities.Catherine Delahunty: Will he act urgently so that other rivers are not pushed beyond their tipping point by putting a moratorium on new dairy conversions; advocating for higher value not higher volume in agriculture; and putting rivers first not last?Hon Dr NICK SMITH: The fact that this Government has increased the level of funding for freshwater clean-ups sixfold and committed $450 million; the fact that lakes like Lake Rotoiti which deteriorated significantly under the last Government have improved enormously under this Government; and the fact that we can look at sensible water storage programmes—whether it be the Central Plains scheme or whether it be the Lee scheme in my own area—show that this Government is capable of delivering improved water quality as well as increased primary production exports.Catherine Delahunty: What new measures will he take on the issue of nitrates and the impact of cow numbers and dairy conversions if any as a result of this new report?Hon Dr NICK SMITH: We are the first Government to nationally put in place limits on nutrients such as nitrates and phosphates—Hon David Parker: You haven't. You haven't.Hon Dr NICK SMITH: Well the member says we have not. When Mr Parker was in Government there was not a single catchment in New Zealand in which you required a resource consent for intensification. That is now true for 18 catchments in New Zealand. We are publicly consulting on specific tighter limits on nitrates. I also point out that our Government is putting in place national regulations for getting stock out of our rivers and lakes—something the previous Government never did and something that they voted against in Parliament last week.Hon David Parker: I seek leave to table the Lake Taupō nutrient limit which pre-dated this Government and was put in place under a prior Government by Judge Skelton co-financed by the Labour Party budget of $70 million.Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER: Well the member seems to have made his point in seeking to table so I see no point in putting the leave.Catherine Delahunty: I raise a point of order Mr Speaker. [Interruption] Chris Hipkins: I raise a point of order Mr Speaker. Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER: No. There is a point of order—I am just calling a point of order from Catherine Delahunty.Catherine Delahunty: The Minister gave a very full answer but did not address what new measures he would take as a result of the report. That was my question—not what the Government is doing or says it is doing but what it is going to do as a result of this new report.Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER: The member may ask the question again.Catherine Delahunty: Thank you. What new measures will he take on the issue of nitrates and the impact of cow numbers and dairy conversions if any as a result of this new report?Hon Dr NICK SMITH: The Government is currently consulting on its clean water paper which specifically tightens the limits around nitrates and also provides for the first national regulations on ensuring that we get our stock out of our rivers and lakes.