‘Middle finger to localism’ as freshwater plan blocked

An eleventh hour intervention by the Government has blocked the Otago Regional Council from passing its Land & Water Regional plan. 
The plan, which was expected to pass by a small majority and increase freshwater environmental protections, was set to be voted on at a meeting on Wednesday. But on Tuesday, an amendment paper was introduced to Parliament that would prevent any councils from enacting a new plan until a new National Policy Statement on freshwater was developed.