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New Zealands' National government has sacked all 14 members of the Canterbury Regional Council (Ecan) and canceled the election due to be held in October. The government will appoint commissioners to replace the elected councillors, with elections not being held until 2013. Canterbury is the largest region in New Zealand with the second largest population. The government claims that 'poor management' of Canterburys' water resources is behind their decision. While the politically and economically powerful farming sector wants to dam rivers to provide irrigation for farms, particularly water intensive dairy farms, urban Canterbury voters elected pro-conservation councillors, including one running on the 'Save Our Water' ticket. Through the subversion of local democracy, it looks as if the farmers will get their way at the expense of the natural environment.
With in days of the announcement being made, the head of the new government appointed commission, Dame Margaret Bazley, has already requested an early meeting with Federated Farmers, the farming lobby group “to get a farming perspective on the future of water management in Canterbury” according to Federated Farmers President Don Nicolson. Mid-Canterbury President Michael Morrow stated “We’re hoping the developments this week and the passing of the legislation signal a new era for water management for Canterbury,” Conservation groups are understandably outraged; "Decisions about our rivers are normally made by democratically elected councillors and the Environment Court," Forest & Bird South Island Conservation Manager Chris Todd said in a press release. "The democratic and legal defences of Canterbury's wild rivers are being swept aside and replaced with a kangaroo court."
The Green Party have pointed out that Agriculture Minister David Carter has a conflict of interest in this debate, as he himself owns a farm in North Canterbury and will likely benefit financially from future irrigation schemes.
