ABSTRACT
This chapter discusses the influences which facilitated a shift in the governance of on-farm environmental management practices on New Zealand dairy farms from local government towards industry led self-regulation. It is argued that several key elements proved instrumental in driving governance change. They were: first, scientific evidence which supported claims that water quality in dairying catchments was poor; second, an increased public concern over poor water and habitat quality in rural waterways and environmental externalities of food production, and third, and most importantly, an industry desire to maintain the ‘clean green’ image of New Zealand dairy production in the face of scientific and public concern. In order to explore these factors, the discussion is focused around the ‘dirty dairying debate’ which in essence was a public debate, through the media, instigated by Fish and Game New Zealand (a nation-wide fishing and hunting recreation group) over on-farm environmental management of water and habitat quality issues. This debate exposed a complex bundle of issues involving scientific evidence, economic issues and social knowledge in both local and global context. At its heart, it centres around the collision of values and interests between various actors including local authorities (Regional Councils), hunting and fishing organisations (Fish and Game New Zealand), individual farmers, farmer lobby groups (Federated Farmers) and key players in the dairy industry. By examining the rational and supporting evidence behind Fish and Game New Zealand’s arguments, historical water quality governance, the interplay of industry and regulatory actors and the role of the consumer it will become clear how the transition in governance began.
