Federated Farmers: Greens' water policy would open can of worms

The Greens plan to charge commercial water users, including farmers. Photo/File

The Greens policy to charge all commercial water users is not going down well with farmers.

At the Green Party's campaign launch yesterday, co-leader James Shaw said the party would crack down on irrigation practices which are seen as having a great effect on water quality and develop a fair way to charge all commercial water users, including farmers.

Federated Farmers vice president Andrew Hoggard said people have to get away from thinking that irrigation is only for dairy cows, pointing out that all the food we grow requires water.

"When you commercialise water there's a whole can of worms you open up there. I'm not sure everyone's fully thought through what that can of worms looks like."

Mr Hoggard said he isn't sure if the Greens have thought of all the policy's potential consequences.

"It'll affect a lot of people - I guess the big question is what are you trying to do with such a proposal: Is it revenue gathering? Is it about discouraging use of water?"

Mr Shaw also announced a plan to crack down on water bottling companies and exporters, promising put an immediate 10 cents a litre levy on sales or exports of bottled still and sparkling water.

He said putting a price on water, solidifies its value to New Zealand - even if it only makes us about $3 million per year.

Mr Shaw said this is what the public want, and while it's not a lot of cash, it sends a signal.

"A lot of bottling companies know that this is coming - that you cannot simply take a resource for free and then make a profit out of it."

The Greens came out of their Nelson campaign launch all guns blazing, saying they must be stronger than NZ First in a left-wing Government.

The two parties poll consistently around 10 per cent, and it's likely both will be required if there's a change of Government in September.

But in the past 24 hours Green co-leader Metiria Turei has called New Zealand First's immigration policy racist, and Winston Peters has warned them of name-calling, saying there could be consequences.

Ms Turei didn't rule out working with them, but said it's not her preference.

"I don't like that NZ First engages in this racist divisive politics - I don't like it at all.

"I'm asking New Zealanders to strengthen our arm in the next government so they don't have that kind of influence in a truly progressive government."