Speeches 

Venue: Sudima Hotel, 1000 Eurera Street, Rotorua

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Today's signing of the funding deed seals the government's commitment to the Rotorua Lakes Restoration Programme, with a contribution of $72.1 million over the next 10 years.

The funding recognises the importance of the restoration programme and the significance of the lakes to the people of Te Arawa, of Rotorua and of New Zealand.

Environment Bay of Plenty and the Rotorua District Council will be implementing the restoration programme, and have also made a large funding commitment. Together they are contributing $72.1 million.

This programme allows us to continue the process of healing and building a relationship of trust and cooperation with Te Arawa.

The people of this region and all New Zealanders clearly want to see the lakes restored to their former glory.

The government is committed to improving the state of all of New Zealand's waterways and this restoration programme is a key part of that.

Through policy development such as the proposed national policy statement for freshwater management- that I announced last month-and the suite of supporting national environmental standards, we want the generations who will follow us to inherit clean, swimmable rivers and lakes.

The government has provided funding since 2003 to improve Rotorua's water quality. This funding was for evaluation of the scope of the Rotorua lakes' problem, short term remedial work, community waste water upgrades, land user initiatives, and science and research.

It's good to know that we have not just the funding in place, but an agreed work programme with targets and timeframes for the next ten years.

I look forward to watching progress on this incredibly important project and I wish all those involved the very best for the hard work ahead.

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