Expert pours cold water over claims

A leading environmental scientist has slammed reported improvements in Taranaki's water quality, saying the regional council is kidding itself by declaring progress.

Dr Mike Joy, a senior lecturer in ecology from Massey University, said that stream health in the region had not improved at all.

Taranaki Regional Council had only chosen to present its research in a misleading way, he said.

"They've gone to great lengths to make the glass look half full rather than half empty," Dr Joy said.

This was dangerous because the information had then been used by Agriculture Minister David Carter as an example of how dairy farm pollution was under control, he said.

Part of the problem was that the starting point TRC were using to measure progress against was so low to begin with, it was nearly impossible the results could have shown a decline, Dr Joy said.

"The measure they were using can't get any worse. But they've accepted that as the status quo."

The worst thing the council could do, Dr Joy said, was to tell people the water was in good health when it wasn't.

"I find it really hard to see how they can convince people to do something when they're telling them it's all good."

However, Taranaki Regional Council has dismissed the comments as unprofessional nonsense.

Chief executive Basil Chamberlain said yesterday Dr Joy was well known for making "loose" comments.

"He is absolutely wrong. It's rubbish," Mr Chamberlain said.

One of Dr Joy's main criticisms was that TRC did not peer review its research, but Mr Chamberlain said this was untrue.

"Not only do we have some very experienced professional scientists in the house, we use external high quality scientists to not only undertake research but also peer review."

For example, the recent State of the Environment report Dr Joy referred to had been peer reviewed.

Dr Joy, who carries out research for regional councils around the country, had offered to do the same for TRC but it had declined, Mr Chamberlain said.

"We employ the best professionals in the field. We do not employ Dr Mike Joy.

"Perhaps that will tell you something."

- © Fairfax NZ News