30 June 2006
Sustainable water panel named
A group of experts who will advise the government on improvements to freshwater management in New Zealand has been named
today by Agriculture Minister Jim Anderton and Environment Minister David Benson-Pope.
The Group will underpin the successful delivery of the Government's Sustainable Water Programme of Action, which aims to
improve both water quality and provide for growing demands for water.
The twelve members of the group are leaders in their fields relevant to water, and represent a cross-section of New
Zealand sectors and regions. The group will hold its first meeting next month.
“The Group will provide leadership and expertise in water management, as well as access to broad local government,
industry, Maori, environmental and community networks. Members will advise on water quality and water allocation issues
and will suggest methods to address those issues,” Mr Benson-Pope said.
"The government has signalled that it wants to take a greater leadership role in freshwater management and will do this
by working closely with groups with a significant interest."
Agriculture Minister Jim Anderton says the members will work to identify opportunities and risks to New Zealand’s
economic transformation because of the way water is currently managed.
"By developing a strategic and nationally consistent approach to managing our valuable freshwater resources we will
ensure that economic growth occurs in a sustainable way, with our environment protected," said Mr Anderton.
The advisory group will, among other tasks:
- prioritise freshwater issues and solutions
- examine the need for, and content of, national ways to manage water, including national policy statements and
environmental standards
- encourage engagement from sectors and groups with an interest in water
George Asher Chief Executive Lake Taupo Forest Trust, General Manager for Lake Rotoaira Forest Trust
Mike Britton General Manager, Royal Forest and Bird Protection Society
Basil Chamberlain Chief Executive Taranaki Regional Council
Martin Clements Deputy Chairman Water Rights Trust, Chairman North Canterbury Fish & Game Council, former President New Zealand Fruitgrowers Federation.
Edward Ellison Farmer, member of Waitaki Catchment Board of Inquiry, has contributed to a number of Government advisory
groups
Mark Ford Chief Executive Watercare Services, chairman of the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority
Barry Harris Director Milk Supply, Fonterra, former Chief Executive of Environment Waikato, Wellington Regional
Council and South Waikato District Council
Doug Heffernan Chief Executive of Mighty River Power
Bryce Johnson Chief Executive of Fish & Game New Zealand, board member of New Zealand Landcare Trust
Peter Scott Horticulture NZ Board member, board member of Irrigation NZ, Chair of Level Plains Irrigation Company.
Farms in South Canterbury
Diana Shand National programme manager for Communities for Climate Protection, former Canterbury Regional
Councillor, former Human Rights Commissioner
Karen Silk Head of Agribusiness at Westpac New Zealand
ENDS