I find it absolutely astounding that people who supported the proposal to tax bottled water exports have not thought through the horrendous consequences that such a small move in dollar terms will make – it will end up costing us all megabucks.

The initial idea, which in itself has some understandable, albeit emotional merit, has escalated to now tax farmers for irrigation. Next it will be dairy factories and food producers. Then if that's fair enough why not the rest of NZ? Leading to the water meter which is ticking over at our front gates.

All governments can't help but get their sticky fingers on a new source of revenue and then over the years crank it up. Look at GST – came in at 10 per cent, rose to 12.5 per cent and is now 15 per cent.

There is an element of jealousy in wanting to tax water exports. The perception that someone is getting something for nothing. What about the risk of setting up a plant, the local employment benefit, ensuring the water is not contaminated, marketing, etc. Yet the export of water has been available for all of us for years. Because there is some foreign element in the industry we have an irrational anti towards it, yet the whole infrastructure cannot be taken away from NZ. If foreigners do own it we can always buy it back one day.

Take care with your vote!

B Capamagian, Tauranga.