Simon Upton urges cross-party consensus on New Zealand environmental goals
Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment Simon Upton is calling for cross-party consensus on the country's overarching environmental goals.
The Land and Water Forum (LWF) today outlined new consensus recommendations needed to improve management of fresh water.
It is also calling on the Government to urgently adopt all of its recommendations from earlier reports.
The 60 new consensus recommendations for how New Zealand should improve its management of fresh water are contained in LWF's fourth report.
The Forum, which brings together over 60 organisations including business, energy generators, environmental and recreational NGOs, iwi and scientists, has focused its latest report on finding ways to meet water quality and quantity limits while maximising economic benefits.
"Improving the management of fresh water is a critical economic and environmental issue for New Zealand. Now is a once in a generation chance to address it in full," says Forum chair Alastair Bisley.
"The recommendations from our four reports collectively outline a workable and balanced system that will facilitate growth and innovation within environmental limits. It is now up to the Government to put these systems in place."
Following recent storms in the region, the 69th edition of the Tour of Southland cycling event has been postponed.
A function at Parliament on 7th October brought together central government decision-makers, MPs, industry stakeholders and commercial partners to highlight the need for strategic investment in the future of Fieldays and its home, the Mystery Creek Events Centre campus.
The Government's revised 2050 biogenic methane target range of 14-24% by 2050 is being welcomed by dairy farmers.
An increasing number of students are doing agricultural and horticultural degrees at Massey University by distance learning.
ANZ New Zealand is encouraging farmers and businesses impacted by the recent extreme weather that hit Southland and South Otago last week to seek support if they need it.
When Professor Pierre Venter takes up his new role as vice chancellor at Massey University next February it will just be a matter of taking a few steps across the road to get to his new office at the Palmerston North Campus.

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