Colour in this postcard and campaign for swimmable, fresh water!

When we say ‘freshwater’ we mean inland waters that are not so salty like the sea.  That’s lakes, rivers, streams, wetlands, and also underground water (aquifers). But here in Aotearoa, the name seems a bit strange… Our freshwaters aren’t so fresh anymore!  A lot are dirty and dangerous.

What can we all do?

The main way we can stop this happening is to tell the government that it has to protect our fresh water. The government needs to set a standard for how clean and healthy the waterways should be, and then make laws to say everyone has to be responsible for the waterways meeting that standard. And what should that standard be? Along with lots of other people, we say, ‘swimmable’. If kids like you, and your whanau and friends, can swim in our waters safely – then they’ll be safe for all the animals too!

Send the Prime Minister an important postcard

Use the postcard – specially created for you by illustrator Gavin Mouldey – to tell the Prime Minister what you think.

Adapted from an article by Johanna Knox, with thanks to Megan Hubscher. Postcard design and illustration by Gavin Mouldey.

Read the rest of Johanna’s story here