Conservation Order for the Rangitata River

After 10 months of deliberations and close to 1200 submissions a Tribunal recommended a Water Conservation Order for the Rangitata River.

Federated Farmers is considering appealing to order. The draft places limitations on the amount of water able to taken from the river.

The strong reaction from Farmers has caused uproar among local communities who believe they have as much right to the River as the farmers. Bryce Johnson , director of Fish and Game New Zealand commented “ they would suck the river dry if they had their way”.

Says Bryce Johnson: “The Water Conservation Order gives the River the equivalent of National Park status. This is a victory for kayakers, rafters, Iwi, swimmers, trampers, jet boaters, anglers, families – the whole community - who enjoy this very important waterway.”