Environment Canterbury

Christchurch South/Ōwhanga Constituency
Environment Canterbury is the regional council for Canterbury. It makes decisions about managing resources in the region, such as air, water, soil and the coastline. It also carries out plant and pest control, helps prepare for natural disasters, and is involved in regional transport. The council is made up of up to 16 councillors. 14 councillors are elected to represent constituencies (areas in the region), including two councillors from the Christchurch South/Ōwhanga constituency. Up to two councillors can be appointed by Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu. This is a first past the post (FPP) election, so you vote by ticking the name of your preferred candidate on your ballot paper. Compare the candidates and their policies to decide who to vote for in the Environment Canterbury election.

Freshwater

The worsening state of New Zealand’s lakes and rivers is a major challenge for regional councils, which play a leading role in managing freshwater in their areas. To this end, regional councils create plans to protect water resources from contaminants and overuse.

Freshwater

The worsening state of New Zealand’s lakes and rivers is a major challenge for regional councils, which play a leading role in managing freshwater in their areas. To this end, regional councils create plans to protect water resources from contaminants and overuse.

  • Enhance minimum flows and reduce nutrient inputs to improve swimmability and biodiversity outcomes.

    Increase the uptake of regenerative agricultural practices to reduce irrigation demand and decrease synthetic fertiliser application.

    Increase urban community uptake of solutions such as copper-free brake pads and raingardens to reduce urban river pollution.

  • Ensure strong and workable rules and incentives around land use to decrease the the level of nitrogen and phosphorus reaching waterways.

    Provide good information and financial support to enable farmers and land managers to make changes to their farming practices.

    Lobby government to require the use of non-copper brake pads nationally. Support urban communities to keep contaminants out of storm water.

  • Engage more people to get involved in solutions around freshwater issues then activate that by putting boots on the ground to do the work.

    Fund, install and support sediment traps, bioreactors, wetlands, etc, to improve water quality and biodiversity across the region.

    Bridge the divide between farmers and the greater community to ensure all the stakeholders can be involved and engaged throughout processes.

  • Reduce industrial dairying across Canterbury.

    Set strict limits on what can be discharged onto land and into rivers, based on public health recommendations rather than agricultural ones.

    Reduce the amount of water that is taken for irrigation projects, and reduce the water allocations given out through consents.

  • Enhance minimum flows and reduce nutrient inputs to improve swimmability and biodiversity outcomes.

    Increase the uptake of regenerative agricultural practices to reduce irrigation demand and decrease synthetic fertiliser application.

    Increase urban community uptake of solutions such as copper-free brake pads and raingardens to reduce urban river pollution.

  • Ensure strong and workable rules and incentives around land use to decrease the the level of nitrogen and phosphorus reaching waterways.

    Provide good information and financial support to enable farmers and land managers to make changes to their farming practices.

    Lobby government to require the use of non-copper brake pads nationally. Support urban communities to keep contaminants out of storm water.

  • Engage more people to get involved in solutions around freshwater issues then activate that by putting boots on the ground to do the work.

    Fund, install and support sediment traps, bioreactors, wetlands, etc, to improve water quality and biodiversity across the region.

    Bridge the divide between farmers and the greater community to ensure all the stakeholders can be involved and engaged throughout processes.

  • Reduce industrial dairying across Canterbury.

    Set strict limits on what can be discharged onto land and into rivers, based on public health recommendations rather than agricultural ones.

    Reduce the amount of water that is taken for irrigation projects, and reduce the water allocations given out through consents.