Ian McLean Spokesperson for the Green Party

'The next wave of progressive change that is sweeping the world is green.”

With this comment, Russel Norman, co-leader of the Green Party, challenged the other parties in the run to the next election to embrace the 21^st Century.

Subjugating the environment to the economy misrepresents both the nature and purpose of a vibrant and forward-looking economy.

Prime Minister and National Party leader John Key kicked off his year with his vision of more resource exploitation, particularly mining and oil exploration; and further reductions in water quality. The 20^th Century was good to him, and he is determined to keep us there.

Interestingly, the Federated Farmers and new Bay of Plenty regional councillor Doug Owens seem to agree with Russel Norman.

Both wrote to the ‘Sunday Star Times' on February 2, asking for a proactive approach to water quality. Federated Farmers national president Bruce Wills noted: 'We all need to work harder to improve water quality”, and 'no normal farmer wakes up in the morning with a desire to pollute”. Doug Owens decried the new quality and quantity water standards being introduced by the National Government as a 'licence to pollute”.

Good stuff. Our government is trading milk production for environmental safety. Even cows need clean water, and farmers understand that.