Rivers for sale

(Recieved by email)

We are deeply concerned that none of our leaders, or would-be leaders, are drawing attention to the link between asset sales of our major generation companies and the risk of associated loss of public control of our rivers with that transaction. These publicly-owned energy companies have a very big influence on our hydro river catchments. On the Waitaki River, for example, among other things they have legal claim over waters, own big tracts of land, can have interests in irrigation supply networks, and can secure "requiring authority" to purchase land that they need for their schemes. We don't think that the the majority of NZers have made these crucial connections and therefore risk making under-informed decisions. The list of questions below is intended to stimulate people's thinking about this issue.

Is it asset sale or river sale?

Thanks to our forefathers, New Zealand’s rivers have always been owned by all New Zealanders. Many of our greatest rivers are currently controlled by publicly-owned companies, directly impacting the surrounding wetlands, fish and bird environments. All New Zealanders have contributed to the building of these companies and benefit from renewable energy and public profits. Now there is a proposal to sell a large part of these companies to private buyers.
What would this mean for our rivers?

Should New Zealand’s rivers and their waters continue to belong to all New Zealanders, as our forefathers wished?
Are the clean, fast flowing rivers that we inherited a legacy we wish to pass to our children and grandchildren?
In the long-run, is it not safer for the environment and more economic to retain full ownership?
Will investor profit be increasingly prioritized over the well-being of our rivers?
Will this accelerate the ever-increasing loss of so many of our bird and fish species?
Would we ever be able to buy them back if we changed our minds?
Is this what we want to do?