‘Their birthright is being lost’: New Zealanders fret over polluted rivers

Dairy boom has coincided with decline in water quality, leaving two-thirds of rivers unsafe for swimming

It has been a classic summer in New Zealand: hot days, barbecues on the beach and lazy afternoon games of cricket. But dozens of beaches, rivers and lakes have been closed to the public owing to pollution from farming.

According to a recent poll, water pollution is now New Zealanders' number one concern: 82% of respondents said they want tougher protections for waterways, ranking it as a priority above the housing crisis, the rising cost of living and child poverty.