Unfortunately these things are under threat. There is a gap between New Zealand’s clean green image and its somewhat clean, still green around the edges reality. We have poor quality water in many of our lowland rivers and streams, many urban beaches that are not fit for bathing after heavy rain, air pollution in some of our cities and towns, growing waste and emissions of carbon dioxide, and a legacy of contaminated land to clean up. Quite simply, New Zealand’s cities, rural lands, forests and oceans are not as clean and green as many of us believe and want.

Eighty-five percent of New Zealanders live in cities and don’t recognise this. While many households and businesses are making an effort, others are complacent or resent paying the costs of dealing with their impacts on the environment. Some are just daunted by the complexity of our problems.

My vision or goal for the environment is to:

Make our clean, green image a reality

Achieving this vision must start with all of us acknowledging that we have environmental problems. Yes, this is a ‘double-edged sword’, for our clean, green image supports much of our trade and our attraction to visitors. But unless people recognise the threat – and see that there are do-able solutions – they won’t act.