Now, the export of pristine New Zealand water to overseas companies has become another touch button for Kiwis. Mr English then softened his stance, indicating the Government has written to its advisory group on water, telling it to investigate putting a price on exported water and to report back by the end of the year. He has asked the ORC chairman and chief executive to tell him how many water companies have been granted permission to take millions of litres of water for commercial bottling purposes from the Central Otago and Queenstown Lakes region. If it emerges, as is already being reported, Chinese companies are involved in the export of New Zealand water, New Zealand may face trade barriers in response to a change in water policy. Water — its quality and its cost — has become a wide and major election headache for Mr English.

Source: Otago Daily Times March 21, 2017 17:26 UTC