(Note below are policies first for those candidates who have listed information with us - the rest can be found at policy.nz - thank you to Policy NZ who have granted permission for us to reproduce the information below)

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.

• Ensure council encourages diversified water collection by residents to support the water infrastructure in times of depleted water sources.
• Focus on having a clear and shared vision for how Auckland Council develops freshwater policy and makes future decisions.
• Understand rural Auckland will have different needs to suburban Auckland and develop freshwater policy with sensitivity for those needs.

• Protect the water of our beaches and bays by improving water infrastructure so that they remain safe for swimming and recreation.
• Establish a water quality workforce to monitor levels of siltation in fresh water streams and rivers.
• Protect natural aquifers from being sold or used for commerce, maintaining the natural flow of waterways.

• Implement, fund and incentivise recently developed 'Water Strategy' across the region.
• Apply a catchment-based and integrated approach including education, monitoring, measurement, management and accountability.
• Apply conservation initiatives for water including a requirement for cleaner production and contractual obligations to avoid water wastage.

For all candidate responses on freshwater visit policy.nz