New Zealand's braided rivers were poorly defined in law a century ago. Our courts stick with that archaic interpretation rather than considering the science, allowing certain farming types to "reclaim" the rivers' banks.

A group of scientists and lawyers called "The land the law forgot" wants to change that. Charlie Mitchell explains it well.

Bonus: several 'before-and-after' multimedia sliders of braided rivers.

https://www.stuff.co.nz/environment/300797892/how-19-words-thwarted-efforts-to-save-our-shrinking-braided-rivers

#NZ #NZPol #RMA #BraidedRiver