Request for advice on freshwater policy planning regarding reconsideration of the NPS-FM

Details of the request

Kia ora: I refer to these stories:

https://newsroom.co.nz/2025/03/17/top-mfe-official-played-down-water-urgency-lawyer-says/

https://newsroom.co.nz/2025/03/17/chief-water-adviser-warns-over-clean-up-disruption/

They refer to evidence given in court by Martin Workman and Bryan Smith related to freshwater.

Can MfE please release: Advice/briefings/suggestions/changes by Messrs Workman and Smith regarding freshwater policy planning regarding reconsideration of the NPS-FM. The period of my request is from October 29, 2024 (when Cabinet agreed the scope of freshwater policy proposals) to May 29, 2025 (when the discussion document was released). This information should cover substantive advice/suggestions/changes rather than iterative/administrative. It should include, but not be limited to, input into pre-consultation material, the finalised discussion document, and advice to senior management and ministers. This could be done via correspondence (and attachments), aide-memoires, and tracked changes. Please provide the material in an electronically searchable form.

Released documents

• Freshwater briefing note - Freshwater in New Zealand - past present and a possible future (PDF, 1.5 MB)

oia@mfe.govt.nz