Auckland's fast-track bid for more water has been lambasted by Waikato Regional Council's chair as an "offensive" back-door approach. READ MORE:* Auckland drought: Waikato ripples over bid to fast-track river water take* Waikato-Tainui look to block Auckland water grab* Auckland drought: Water-short city seeks to take more from Waikato RiverDominico Zapata/Stuff Watercare wants to take an extra 200 million litres a day from the Waikato River. In a council statement, Rimmington said there was no mention of Auckland's fast-track bid during recent talks. Sarah Brook/Stuff Waikato Regional Council chair Russ Rimmington said Auckland's approach to take more water was "offensive" and "back door". But Waikato River Authority Chair Roger Pikia told the Environment Select Committee on Tuesday Auckland's application was not Covid-related.

Source: Stuff June 24, 2020 09:45 UTC