Nzers Cherish their waterways but Aotearoa’s rivers & lakes are being polluted.
New Zealanders cherish their waterways but Aotearoa’s rivers and lakes are being polluted, our wetlands drained and the pure water in our aquifers contaminated. Surveys regularly find that the vast majority of us, rural and urban, identify the state of our rivers, lakes and wetlands as our most pressing environmental issue.
We want our communities to be able to enjoy their favourite local swimming holes. We want water that flows cleanly without becoming clogged by mud and algal blooms. We want to protect our drinking water sources and to preserve our unique wildlife. We want healthy rivers that flow to the sea.
This isn’t too much to ask.
Our country deserves freshwater policy and governance that is founded on robust science, fairness, and the conviction that healthy waterways and safe fresh water are central to thriving people and nature, now and into the future.
Choose clean water began in 2015.
Choose Clean Water began in 2015 as a student-led campaign aiming to strengthen Aotearoa New Zealand’s freshwater policy to protect the health of people, wildlife and the environment.
Over January and February 2016, our original team of five (Paul Boyce, Kyleisha Foote, Geoff Reid, Ben Sarten and Marnie Prickett) travelled the length of the country collecting the stories of everyday people who were being hurt by water pollution and the degradation of their awa. We produced 24 short films in the 28 days we were on the road.
All our films can be viewed here.
At the same time, we were collecting signatures for our petition, which was delivered to parliament in March 2016.
Since then We have continued pushing for strong freshwater policy.
13,000-signature petition to parliament, March 2016
Regular interviews and opinion pieces in media on freshwater policy.
10,000 postcards sent to former Minister for the Environment Nick Smith calling on him for a swimmable bottom line.
Billboard with ActionStation calling out previous Government for changing swimming standards.
Making submissions on freshwater policy.
Helping make fresh water and the health of rivers one of 2017’s top election issues.
Giving speeches and talks at conferences, to policy makers, and public events.
Working with other environmental, tourism, public health groups to produce the Freshwater Rescue Plan in 2017.
Providing opportunities for the public to make meaningful submissions on freshwater policy.
Presenting GIANT Christmas card to PM Jacinda Ardern asking her to 'deliver the gift of healthy rivers in 2020’.
Etc.