Environment Canterbury

Mid-Canterbury/Ōpākihi 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 Mid-Canterbury/Ōpākihi 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.

  • Commit to ending Intensive winter grazing. Intensive winter grazing is one if not the biggest nitrate and sediment polluters of Canterbury's rivers, lakes and aquifers.

    Commit to cutting synthetic nitrogen fertiliser use.

    Commit to all water take consents been conditional on sustainable nitrate leaching and healthy river flows and aquifers. Te Mana o te Wai.

  • Implement the National Policy Statement for Freshwater Management via our new integrated plan whilst continuing to drive improvements in environmental stewardship and water use.

    Ensure urban expansion and development is held to the same environmental standards as our rural areas.

    Encourage infrastructure initiatives that will benefit catchment management and water supply and quality.

  • Give first order priority to aquatic environments.

    Reverse overallocation of water for irrigation.

    Develop policies/regulations to limit diffuse pollution from intensive agriculture. Set tighter limits for wastewater applied to land.

  • Commit to ending Intensive winter grazing. Intensive winter grazing is one if not the biggest nitrate and sediment polluters of Canterbury's rivers, lakes and aquifers.

    Commit to cutting synthetic nitrogen fertiliser use.

    Commit to all water take consents been conditional on sustainable nitrate leaching and healthy river flows and aquifers. Te Mana o te Wai.

  • Implement the National Policy Statement for Freshwater Management via our new integrated plan whilst continuing to drive improvements in environmental stewardship and water use.

    Ensure urban expansion and development is held to the same environmental standards as our rural areas.

    Encourage infrastructure initiatives that will benefit catchment management and water supply and quality.

  • Give first order priority to aquatic environments.

    Reverse overallocation of water for irrigation.

    Develop policies/regulations to limit diffuse pollution from intensive agriculture. Set tighter limits for wastewater applied to land.