11. Question No. 11—EnvironmentLAN PHAM (Green) to the Minister for the EnvironmentQuestion No. 11—Environment11. LAN PHAM (Green) to the Minister for the Environment: Is she concerned about how many rivers lakes and beaches across the country were too polluted to swim in or gather food from over the summer?Hon PENNY SIMMONDS (Minister for the Environment): Yes I am concerned including with the fact that more than 20 beaches in Auckland in December were unswimmable because of human sewage which reinforces that polluted rivers lakes and beaches are an issue to be addressed by all New Zealanders both rural and urban. There are of course different causes of pollution that range from land use wild animals and human waste from infrastructure failures. Pollution occurs in both urban and rural areas but the evidence does show that urban water bodies are in the poorest state. It is deeply disappointing that six years of the previous Government Labour-Greens did not address this but we are determined to get this right. This Government is committed to improving freshwater quality for the benefit of all and to do this we need sensible and pragmatic environmental rules. I'm also very pleased to tell you that the beach in Riverton Southland—the riviera of the south"—was outstanding all summer.SPEAKER: Well can we just keep those primary answers just a little more concise in the future?Lan Pham: Has she read the open letter last month from 51 freshwater experts and leaders that states: "New Zealand's rivers lakes and aquifers are in a dire state." and "If you proceed with your proposals to undo the country's freshwater policy they will only get worse."?Hon PENNY SIMMONDS: Yes indeed I have read that letter from 50-plus freshwater scientists and experts and I acknowledge the member's own expertise in this area. There will always be a range of interests and views from academics from scientists from commercial and recreation users and from iwi.Lan Pham: Why then did the Government delay freshwater improvements already in progress by pushing out the deadline for regional council plans to 2027?Hon PENNY SIMMONDS: The Government considers that there needs to be a rebalance of Te Mana o te Wai and a rewriting of the National Policy Statement on Freshwater Management to ensure that it is fit for purpose and that it achieves genuine outcomes.Lan Pham: Does the Minister agree that progressing and upholding of Te Mana o te Wai would help achieve those outcomes?Hon PENNY SIMMONDS: Te Mana o te Wai is not in consideration. It is the hierarchy of the obligations that we consider needs to be relooked at and rebalanced.Lan Pham: What assurances if any can she provide to Kiwis—[Interruption]SPEAKER: No sorry just wait a minute. Both sides—a lot of talking while someone's trying to answer a question. It's the one thing that I will be quite strict on so today is the most liberal day we're going to have in this regard. Please Lan Pham if you would ask your question again.Lan Pham: What assurances if any can she provide to Kiwis that their local waterway will be safe to swim in when 45 percent of the total river length in Aotearoa is currently unswimmable according to the Ministry for the Environment?Hon PENNY SIMMONDS: We agree that the past six years have not addressed this sufficiently. The Government is committed to replacing the national policy statement for fresh water. We are committed to improving the quality of fresh water.Lan Pham: Will she commit to ensuring that any changes to freshwater regulations are informed by scientific evidence on the health of New Zealand's waterways?Hon PENNY SIMMONDS: I can assure the member that we will be consulting widely. We will be consulting with academics with scientists with iwi and with commercial and recreational users. So we will consult widely and take a balanced approach to ensure that we come up with workable solutions."