Two new local values for freshwater have emerged following conversations with people from across Southland during the Share Your Wai campaign in 2019.

Environment Southland last week announced two additional values had been uncovered, bringing the total to 20.

The values are important for shaping the way the regional council will work under the processes set out in the new National Policy Statement for Freshwater Management.

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“Through the Share Your Wai engagement campaign we learned that community wellbeing and connectedness and amenity and recreation near waterways are important to Southlanders,” Environment Southland chairman Nicol Horrell said

Last year, Environment Southland staff and councillors set up shop at over 40 markets, A&P shows, events and supermarkets across the region to find out more about people's aspirations for our waterways. 

Eighteen values had already been identified over the last 20 years through other regional and national planning documents.

The Share Your Wai campaign was aimed at confirming that these were still reflective of what the Southland community value.

“Discovering these two new values was surprising and, with these new values in particular, demonstrates just how much our lives are connected to our lakes, estuaries, rivers and streams,” Mr Horrell said.

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Confirming the values is one of the first steps in the process outlined in the national freshwater policy.

The process ultimately leads to setting limits, and action plans for how Environment Southland will achieve those limits to improve our waterways.

"Community wellbeing and connectedness" generally considers how waterways provide for people's social values. It includes things like including: mental and spiritual wellbeing; the importance of family relationships and their ties to certain waterways and natural locations; social engagements and interactions around water spaces; domestic related activities; and overall human health and wellbeing.

"Amenity and recreation near waterways" is about the value of recreational activities that do not involve direct water immersion, but take place next to waterways.

The term generally refers to the role that water quality, quantity, and natural characteristics has in making waterways desirable and amenable to recreation. 

More information about the Share Your Wai campaign can be found HERE.

To see all the values, go HERE.