Press release
Responses to questionnaire sent to political parties by the New Zealand Federation of Freshwater Anglers (NZFFA) indicates an air of indifference to environmental issues particularly around water quality, rivers and the public’s freshwater fisheries says the organisation.
NZFFA executive member Jason Foord said the political outlook leading to the election in a few days time was in strong contrast to the 2017 election when the poor state of rivers, streams and lakes, was to the fore with the incoming Labour government then, promising a clean up.
“These are public resources and politicians should be aware of that.”
Only four political parties responded, i.e. Green party in Parliament and three others outside of Parliament, i.e. Conservative, Outdoors and Freedom and Opportunity.
No replies were received from Labour who championed the issue in 2017, National, ACT and Te Pati Maori.
Indifference
NZ First referred the questionnaire to its policy which did not indicate any deep interest in the environment and to the contrary emphasised mining and opening up the public conservation estate to that and other exploitation.
“No doubt the party’s approach to resources championed over recent years by minister Shane Jones influenced NZ First’s pro-exploitation stance,” said Jason Foord.
Jason Foord said of the four parties which responded, Conservative and Outdoors and Freedom scored highest closely followed by Opportunity and Green parties.
With the incoming government it is vital that environmental organisations communicate directly with incoming ministers to raise the profile of environmental issues.
“Unfortunately inaction by the previous Labour government during its two terms and the coalition government’s moves with the Fast Track Approvals Act and impending plans such as the Conservation Amendment Bill opening the way for increased exploitation even on the public’s lands, show that conservation best defined as the wise use of resources has fallen down the priority list,” said Jason Foord. “It’s not only the environment at stake but democracy too.”
Questions were:-
- Do you support water conservation orders (WCOs) to provide full protection (akin to national park status) on New Zealand’s rivers?
- Do you support maintaining the requirement to protect the habitat of trout and salmon in any new legislation replacing the Resource Management Act?
- Do you support maintaining recreational use as a higher priority over commercial use of public conservation lands?
- Has your party any intention of limiting or curtailing the widespread increase in forestry plantings leading to monocultures (whether for timber production or “carbon farming”)?
- What policies do you have to manage nitrate runoff to waterways and aquifer groundwater, especially in Canterbury and Southland?
- Fish & Game New Zealand councils should be politically independent and free from political interference relative to restructuring the organisation. Do you support this?
- Will you take steps to restore full democracy by (a) allowing greater time for public input during the select committee process and (b) reinstating the select committee process in the Fast Track Approvals Act?
- Will you heed the deep concerns of the Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment and former PM Sir Geoffrey Palmer about excessive ministerial powers in legislation?
It seems as though our great unwashed leaders and potential leaders – whomsoever forms our next government – are all focused on social issues and to hell with the environment.
This doesn’t say they don’t care – nor does it say the do care – just they are looking the other way.
In days of yore, the recreational lobby would be listened to – but no more it seems!
Why not one wonders…
Which party in Parliament cares about the environment? None it seems although ACT’s Cameron Luxton and ACT’s deputy leader Nicole McKee have an empathy with the outdoors.
Look at the results of NZFFA’s questionnaire – outside of Parliament Outdoors and Freedom party and Conservative party seem to care.
Where do you give your party vote? Pretty obvious isn’t it – either of those two outside parliament and give an election or two they might make it into the House of Parliament.
Re Dave Rhodes comment about today no party is caring. In one word the reason is APATHY by the silent majority. There are too many who are either to scared to speak up or selfishly don’t care about tomorrow and the legacy they leave for their kids and grandkids.
One million Kiwis go recreational sea fishing. Add in deerstalking, tramping, trout and salmon fishing. It all adds up to a massive voter bloc.
But they don’t speak up and most organisations have forgotten their advocacy role.