Tariana Turia has accused Fonterra of dumping milk into the Manawatu River.
I was concerned when I read her press release so I contacted Fonterra to see what was going on. The odd thing is, the idea of calling Fonterra hadn’t occurred to Tariana. Nor does it seem she had spoken to Horizons Regional Council. In fact, as best as I can tell, she hadn’t done a thing to substantiate her claims before she issued her press release.
This is totally irresponsible from a Government Minister.
No doubt it took Nick Smith by surprise. Tariana’s accusation is completely at odds with the positive announcement over the weekend of funding for the river clean up project and the Government’s intention to work closely with local government and industry.
As a representative of the Manawatu region, she should be trying to be positive about her region’s reputation.
If the claims are true, Fonterra absolutely should be held to account. But where are the facts and why on earth was her first action to issue a press release?
Agreed.
It would seem rather unprofessional to issue a press release that openly admits to being based on a rumour. Of course pollution in the Manawatu is of grave concern, but it’s not Tariana Turia’s job to be the rumour mill, if someone had legitimate concerns and voiced them to Ms. Turia, she should probably have advised them to call Horizons, right?
Ridiculous press release hasn’t she got anything better to do. Dumb journalists reporting it too is equally ridiculous.
On the same note I think Mr Shearers claim that the MFAT staffer was going to be canned was a bit harsh. She is a real person not a football.
Iain, what did Fonterra tell you when you asked?
After I called Fonterra, they sent me this email:
Thanks for your call earlier in relation to Tariana Turia’s allegations of milk-dumping by Fonterra.
As I said the site, transport and environment managers of our Pahiatua and Longburn processing sites have been asked about the allegations and have responded that they have no information about any milk –dumping. It’s possible of course that the allegations relate to an individual farmer, possibly affected by recent power outages? Fonterra has best practice guidelines for on-farm milk disposal. These state that “under no circumstances should milk go directly into waterways” and instead promote alternative environmentally-safer ways of disposing of milk. We would be disappointed if any individual had fallen short of these guidelines.
I have advised Tariana Turia’s staff that if they do have any more information we would be happy to look into it.
If any more information comes to hand I’ll let you know.
Thanks Iain
Was Tariana seeking a distraction from the Maori Party’s latest effective cave-in over the Treaty of Waitangi provisions in the Sale of Assets legislation? Just a thought.
Anne – interesting to see that “consultation” is the new new word for “buy time to realize we pushed too far in the original document” – National uses the word in this way, and then calls it an elegant solution. Anyone noticed that “aspirational” has died a death in the PM’s vernacular?