‘Middle finger to localism’ as freshwater plan blocked

An eleventh hour intervention by the Government has blocked the Otago Regional Council from passing its freshwater farm 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.