3. Question No. 3—EnvironmentHon JAMES SHAW (Co-Leader—Green) to the Minister for the EnvironmentQuestion No. 3—Environment3. Hon JAMES SHAW (Co-Leader—Green) to the Minister for the Environment: Why is the Government proposing to look at water-quality measures beyond those of physical and chemical water quality to also look at aquatic life habitat water quantity and ecological processes?Hon DAVID PARKER (Minister for the Environment): Because the scientific advisory group Kāhui Wai Māori and the Freshwater Leaders Group advised that these measures are necessary to stop our freshwater quality from degrading. In many of our waterways sediment continues to pile up choking our estuaries and smothering our shellfish beds. Nitrate levels are still on the increase in many rivers and aquifers including in Canterbury. Twice as many rivers have declining macroinvertebrate populations as have them improving—a clear indication that these rivers are in decline. We want to fix this because we agree New Zealanders should be able to swim in their local river without the risk of falling ill. We believe that this is in the interests of all New Zealanders including farmers and exporters because if we let it get worse it costs more takes longer and is harder to fix.Hon James Shaw: How is this holistic approach an improvement to the existing regime?Hon DAVID PARKER: The existing regime allowed problems to get worse. The deadline to start giving effect to the 2017 national policy statement (NPS) was allowed to slip out to 2030 and the bottom lines according to all advisory groups did not adequately protect our waterways. New Zealanders want this Government to stop this getting worse and when we do to then allow it to be fixed up over a generation which is what we are proposing.Hon James Shaw: And how does this change in approach in measuring water quality reflect mātauranga Māori principles of water management like recognising the innate value of water?Hon DAVID PARKER: It's fair to acknowledge the last Government for already giving expression to Te Mana o te Wai in the current NPS which was introduced by the prior Government. We're giving clarity to the principles of Te Mana o te Wai which are first to meet the needs of the river; second human uses; and third commercial uses. It's a concept reflecting the values of all New Zealanders and we're also giving effect to it further by a proposed mahinga kai" attribute which provides for the health of eels kōura and whitebait.Hon James Shaw: Why are the proposed changes to water-quality bottom lines needed and what difference will that make to improve the health of our waterways and ecosystems?Hon DAVID PARKER: The new bottom lines will improve the health of our freshwater ecosystems. The changes being consulted on to achieve this include stopping further loss of wetlands and streams; controls on further intensification; and new nitrogen attributes. The new nitrogen attributes have been included for consultation because the scientific and technical advisory group considers the current NPS is insufficient for soft-bottomed rivers. The proposals take a phased approach to addressing water quality to stop degradation of our rivers and lakes to achieve a noticeable improvement within five years and to restore our waterways within a generation.Hon James Shaw: What has the Minister done to ensure that his proposals are supported by those with expertise in freshwater management and ensure that communities are involved in the changes?Hon DAVID PARKER: The Government brought together advisory groups to advise and make recommendations on the proposed changes encompassing scientific farming Māori and environmental experts. There was unanimous consensus across the scientific advisory group Kāhui Wai Māori and the Freshwater Leaders Group that further action is necessary to halt the decline in freshwater quality. In addition to that prior consultation included a decade of work by the Land and Water Forum—and in addition to that of course we're consulting with the public for them to have their say on the proposals as well."