National plan aims to protect wetlands and boost water quality

New Zealand’s government has launched a two-year plan to fast-track policies aimed at improving the water quality of the country’s rivers, lakes and wetlands.

Announcing the plan on 8 October, environment minister David Parker said it would focus on “at-risk catchments so as to halt the decline”.

“We’re not going to leave the hard issues for future generations,” he said. “Clean water is our birthright. Local rivers and lakes should be clean enough for our children to swim in, and put their head under, without getting crook.”