Call to discuss state of Manawatu River.

There's been emotion, blaming and shaming but it's all going to be out in the open soon.

Mayors, environmental groups, farming and business leaders are being called together by Horizons Regional Council to discuss the state of the Manawatu River.

The council still rejects claims that the river is one of the most polluted in the Western world after an independent scientist ranked it as the worst of 300 tested.

Horizons chairman Garrick Murfitt said it was time for all the major interested parties to meet to rationally sort out the issue.

Strong local ownership, leadership and a commitment to solving the problem for the benefit of the regional community was needed, Mr Murfitt said. "There is always the risk that if we can't sort out the problem, others from outside the region will intervene and the result may not be in the best interests of the local community."

People needed to be clear on the consequences of their decisions, he said. "I'm hopeful those invited to this meeting will work together positively in the interests of the community."

The meeting is expected to be held within weeks.

- © Fairfax NZ News