Thursday, 27 May 2021, 4:19 pm
Forest & Bird is celebrating the announcement of a
new wetland restoration project near Lake Horowhenua, and
calling for strong rules for wetlands and freshwater
protection around the country. The Horowhenua branch
of Forest & Bird have been working for years to plant
native vegetation at Lake Papaitonga. We re excited to see
their important work become part of a larger project to
restore wetlands and bring back Lake Horowhenua from
breaking point, says Forest & Bird spokesperson Tom
Kay. Lowland lakes like Horowhenua, and their
surrounding wetlands, are important habitat for fish and
birds but have become incredibly polluted across the
The Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) opposed introducing a tough bottom line for nitrogen levels in rivers over concerns the economic impact would outweigh the environmental benefit, documents show.
Emails show MPI staff wanted the economic cost of introducing a bottom line pushed more prominently in a Cabinet paper about nitrogen level options put to ministers in May 2020.
Photo: RNZ / Rebekah Parsons-King
MPI repeatedly clashed with the Ministry for the Environment (MfE), even though scientific experts said a Dissolved Organic Nitrogen (DIN) level of 1 mg/L was the best way to protect rivers.
Emails obtained under the Official Information Act show MPI staff wanted the economic cost of introducing a bottom line pushed more prominently in a cabinet paper about nitrogen level options put to ministers in May 2020.