Federated Farmers has launched a strong call for the Government to abandon the controversial Te Mana o te Wai framework, describing it as vague, impractical, and unworkable.
Mark Hooper, speaking on behalf of the organisation in its weekly email newsletter, said the rules place the health of water ahead of people, requiring councils to regulate not only measurable aspects such as clarity, fish life, and E. coli levels, but also spiritual concepts like the “mauri” or “life force” of water.
“Most reasonable New Zealanders know these are not things that can be scientifically tested, monitored or reviewed,” Hooper said. “All these rules will do is lead to confusion, inconsistency, costly legal battles, and endless consenting headaches.”
He argued the approach risks handing mana whenua a monopoly over freshwater decisions, citing examples where groups opposed mixing water bodies or discharges of treated wastewater on spiritual grounds, despite the water being scientifically clean.
First introduced under National in 2017 and expanded under Labour in 2020, the rules have long been criticised by farmers. Hooper said the current Government must now “do the right thing, not the easy thing” and remove Te Mana o te Wai altogether if it is serious about fixing freshwater regulation.
Farmers, he stressed, have already invested heavily in voluntary environmental improvements and want rules based on credible science, not undefined spiritual concepts. “The concept of Te Mana o te Wai simply must go. It should have no place in New Zealand’s freshwater laws.”
Hoopers got a point – Te Mana o te Wai sounds like a fancy new drink mix youd find at fancy coffee shop, not a science thing! Farmers are right to want rules based on actual, measurable stuff like whether the coffee is hot or if it tastes like dirt. Who wants to measure the life force of their latte? Lets stick to good old E. coli tests, please. Mixing water bodies on spiritual grounds? Give me a break, my cat has more defined spiritual views, usually involving tuna. Time to ditch the vague concepts and get some real, non-magical regulatory coffee going!
But dont you understand this creates all these new jobs and Governance for Maoridom. Now where in the hell would we be without that ??? LOL. Farmers built NZ and if their are no farmers there is no NZ. If you squeeze farmers out you are vertually strangling youself – think about it. You want to go back living in a cave again ??? Why have there been so many idiotic ideas from both sides of Parliament being created in the last 30 years ??? Just as well left 30 years ago I did knew I did not want to turn out to be an idiot too.
Yes undeniably water is intrinsically important as being linked to the foundation of life
But lets not throw the baby out with the bathwater
NZ is going broke quick enough as it is
Without more Maori red tape overreach mired in pagan heathen superstition
Which has been allowed to proliferate and manifest itself in NZ
Gaining traction in being given a free pass most notably under Labour amidst mounting head winds
The last thing we need is more regulations compliance and environmental policing
In driving farmers off the land
Aided and abetted by our new found environmentalists brandishing their badges of purity
Te Mana o te Wai is a useful flagship of convenience Maori can sail in maintaining influence support (funding) and standing
In a reality whose trough society is unhitching and drawing their horse away
VOID/ABOLISH apartheid Te Mana o te Wai and every other apartheid Act/Statute enacted into legislation since 1975.
THE NEW ZEALAND LOYAL PARTY IS ABSOLUTELY PRO-FARMER, AND WILL SUPPORT THESE GREAT MEN & WOMEN BY REPEALING THE FLIGHTY LAWS, CODES AND REGULATIONS THAT HAVE BEEN PUT IN PLACE BY THE PINK AND BLUE-HAIRED CREATURES WHO HAVE HEAVY SHRAPNEL PIERCED IN THEIR VARIOUS BODY PARTS AND LOTS AND LOTS OF TATTOOS!
https://nzloyal.com/farming/
Agree 100% with MIM. Get rid of this unworkable, impractical nonsense.
From- the New Zealand Loyal Party-
POLICY ON FARMING
February 4, 2025 Published by Kelvyn Alp
New Zealand Loyal Farming and Agriculture Policy
Farming has been the backbone of New Zealand’s economy, driving growth and recovery. Despite this, farmers are often unfairly vilified. Our policy recognizes the vital role farmers play and seeks to unleash their full potential.
Core Principles
1. Recognition of Farming’s Economic Importance: Farming is a cornerstone of New Zealand’s economy, and its growth and prosperity are essential to the nation’s well-being.
2. Rejection of Unfair Vilification: Farmers are responsible stewards of the land, and the notion that they are reckless environmental destroyers is rejected.
3. Termination of Excessive Regulations: Overregulation has stifled farming growth; most of these regulations will be terminated to allow farmers to thrive.
Protection of Farmers’ Rights
1. Private Property Rights: Farmers’ private property rights will be protected under New Zealand Loyal policies.
2. Self-Defence Rights: Farmers have the right to self-defence, and this will be upheld and protected in accordance with the NZ Loyal Self-Defence Policy.
Direct Market Access
1. Unrestricted Market Access: Farmers will be able to sell their products directly to markets without interference from controlling and price-fixing bodies.
Industry Revitalization
1. New Zealand Wool Industry Revitalization: The wool industry will be revitalized through supportive policies and initiatives.
2. Cottage Industry Growth: Cottage industries related to farming products will be encouraged and supported.
3. Revitalization of Viable Farmland: Viable farmland will be preserved and revitalized, discouraging the conversion of productive land for pine tree planting and carbon credit schemes.
4. Hemp Farming Development: Large-scale hemp farming will be developed and supported in New Zealand, recognizing its potential for sustainable and versatile products.
Climate Change Narrative Rejection
1. Rejection of Climate Change Narratives: The notion that farmers are significant contributors to climate change is rejected; farmers are part of the solution, not the problem.
Ministerial Appointment
1. Practicing Farmer or Market Gardener as Minister: Any future minister of farming and agriculture will be a practicing farmer or market gardener to ensure they understand the challenges faced by the industry.
Inclusion of Orchards and Market Gardeners
1. Inclusive Policy: This policy includes and supports orchards and market gardeners, recognizing their vital contributions to New Zealand’s food production.
Conclusion
Our farming and agriculture policy prioritizes the growth and prosperity of New Zealand’s farming sector, rejects unfair vilification, and supports farmers’ rights and interests.
© 2025, All Rights Reserved
Leader – avatar
About the author: Leader
Kelvyn Alp is the Leader of New Zealand Loyal.
Sick of this pagan maorism that is forced down our throats. Stop the made up stuff, go back to GOD.