Hon Dr Nick Smith
Minister for the Environment
26 May 2016
New $100m fund to improve water quality
A new fund of $100 million of operating funding over 10 years will support initiatives to clean up New Zealand’s rivers,
lakes and aquifers, Environment Minister Dr Nick Smith says.
“There are significant costs for councils and landowners in meeting the Government’s new national standards for
freshwater. This new contestable fund of $100 million will help communities improve water quality standards.”
The Freshwater Improvement Fund is part of a broader package of measures to strengthen new national standards, introduce
new stock exclusion rules, improve Māori participation and introduce new requirements for minimising nutrient losses and
efficient water use.
“This fund will help communities achieve their desired water quality and quantity limits faster. Recognising the
importance of private investment, priority will be given to projects that include funding from business or philanthropic
funds. By encouraging this funding now we can achieve significant results for New Zealand and minimise the long-term
clean-up costs,” Dr Smith says.
“The Freshwater Improvement Fund is in addition to $354 million already committed to specific freshwater clean-up
projects since 2000, including at Lake Taupo, the Waikato and Waipa rivers, Rotorua lakes, the Manawatu River, Lake Te
Waihora (Ellesmere), Waituna Lagoon and Lake Brunner.”
“We are showing that with government funding and strong community partnerships we can improve freshwater quality,” Dr
Smith says.
“This new fund is about maintaining momentum in improving New Zealand’s freshwater management.”
ENDS