Message from the Mayor

Our natural resources are major part of what makes our country unique, they are also our strength and economic advantage. Add to this the natural abundance of water and our related ability to grow food in all forms and this gives us a step ahead in the competitive economies of the world.

The key to maintaining this natural advantage is the sustainable use of water. With a clear and sustainable path we can and should be able to maximise the economic use of this internationally coveted asset while recognising its environmental and social values. The work the Land and Water Forum has been doing is important to the economic, environmental and social progress of the country.

What has been at the forefront of this process is the consensus during our investigations, discussions and debates. For this very important task we have had representatives from every group that have an interest in water. We have worked together to get to a position that delivers the best result for the country, not the singular interests of any one individual sector or group.

What will be delivered to the Government is a model that will enable the development of legislation and standards that preserve the availability of water through good management with the widest view of sustainability, sound environmental stewardship and economic opportunity and growth.

In providing a framework that enables our country’s future wealth on all levels we have proven that consensus can and does work regardless of the difficulty of the topic. This collaborative model has been proven successful in Tasman in a number of projects and I am looking forward to furthering the learnings to the issues we face now and in the future.

Mayor Richard Kempthorne