Fifty freshwater experts have signed an open letter to Prime Minister Christopher Luxon, urging him to avoid a "terrible mistake" by reversing current freshwater policies.
In the letter, the signatories call upon the PM and other ministers to "retain the National Policy Statement for Freshwater Management 2020 and make no changes to Te Mana o te Wai".
"New Zealand’s rivers, lakes and aquifers are in a dire state. If you proceed with your proposals to undo the country’s freshwater policy, they will only get worse," the letter reads.
"To remove, replace or rewrite our country’s national freshwater policy at this time, so soon after it has been brought in, would be a terrible mistake.
"We call on you to listen to the wider community – not just the minority of voices who have asked you to undo the progress the country has made towards cleaner drinking water and healthier waterways.
"Please, take the country forward and provide the leadership needed to achieve healthy water for us all."
The letter is additionally addressed to Resource Management Act (RMA) Reform Minister Chris Bishop, Environment Minister Penny Simmonds and Agriculture Minister Todd McClay.
Among the 51 signatories are Victoria University freshwater ecologist Dr Mike Joy, epidemiologist Professor Michael Baker, and environmental, indigenous and human rights researcher Tina Ngati.
Joy, who organised the letter, said the progress made on national freshwater policies "while still inadequate are a major improvement on what we had and are a major progression to where most New Zealanders want us to be".
“This freshwater policy has involved a huge amount of work, collaboration and expenditure and losing all that would be a huge backward step," he said.
“There is a very real link between freshwater protection and reducing GHG emissions and climate resilience, many win-win gains that risk being lost if we go backwards on freshwater protection."
The letter comes as Government Minister Simeon Brown last week confirmed plans to scrap the previous government's Three Waters legislation in early 2024.
Brown said the Government was committed to addressing water infrastructure challenges that jeopardised the nation's health and prosperity and drove up household costs.
"The Coalition Government will instead implement a new regime which recognises the importance of local decision-making and flexibility for communities and councils to determine how their water services will be delivered in future," he said.
"We will do this while ensuring a strong emphasis on meeting rules for water quality and long-term investment in infrastructure.
"We’ve listened to calls from mayors around the country for swift action and clarity."
Brown said the proposed Bill would disestablish the previous government’s Northland and Auckland Water Services Entity end any remaining "costly and unnecessary activity" involved in setting it up.
He said specific provisions in the bill would address "immediate challenges" faced by councils, which were currently preparing their 2024-2034 long-term plans under the previous government’s settings, by providing flexibility in setting plans.
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