FRESHWATER IS A PUBLIC HEALTH ISSUE
New PHANZ Policy Calls for Action
The Public Health Association of New Zealand (PHANZ) is calling for urgent action to protect freshwater in Aotearoa New Zealand, warning that declining water quality, and the proposed weakening of environmental protections, will continue to put people’s health at risk, particularly in rural and disadvantaged communities.
Releasing its new policy position statement on Freshwater and Health, the PHANZ emphasises the important relationship between freshwater and health, and the need for a strong health and equity-focused approach to freshwater policy and management that upholds Te Tiriti o Waitangi and strengthens environmental protections.
“Healthy freshwater and functioning ecosystems are critical for healthy, stable communities” says Dr Cadence Kaumoana, Chief Executive. “When our waterways are polluted, it impacts everything – from drinking water and food safety to mental health and climate resilience.”
The PHANZ statement acknowledges that the quality of drinking water and the ecological health of waterways in Aotearoa New Zealand are under increasing pressure from intensified agricultural systems, poor infrastructure, and climate change. The PHANZ notes the public health risks linked to groundwater contamination and rising nitrate levels, and affirms that access to safe, good quality drinking water is a fundamental human right essential to health and wellbeing.
The PHANZ strongly supports the Te Mana o Te Wai framework, which is the current decision-making framework for freshwater management in Aotearoa New Zealand. Te Mana o te Wai safeguards the health of freshwater ecosystems and explicitly requires access to safe, good quality drinking water.
“We need a public health approach to be a key part of freshwater policy”, says Dr Kaumoana. “This means ensuring Te Mana o Te Wai remains a core component of freshwater policy, prioritising the health of freshwater ecosystems and the health of people, ahead of commercial and other polluting interests.”
The PHANZ’s policy position statement comes as the Government is undertaking consultation on proposed changes to Aotearoa New Zealand’s Freshwater National Direction. While the proposed changes focus on “cutting red tape” for commercial entities, experts note that it will mean more pollution in the places we swim, fish, and in communities’ drinking water sources.
The PHANZ is supporting the public health sector, and the general public, to speak up for a strong public-health approach to freshwater management. The PHANZ has produced a 2-page guidance document, which provides an overview of what is being proposed in the government’s consultation, outlines why this is an important issue for public health, and how to make a submission.
Read the full PHANZ policy position statement: PHANZ Policy Position Statement on Freshwater and Health
Watch the PHANZ policy webinar supporting the release of the policy position statement. This webinar includes a brief overview of the policy position statement, followed by a presentation from public health expert and PHANZ member Marnie Prickett.
Have your say on the Government’s Freshwater National Direction consultation (closes 11.59pm on Sunday 27 July 2025: Ministry for the Environment’s submission form
Read the PHANZ guidance document to support submissions to the government’s consultation on Freshwater National Direction.