Neither a rap nor bible verse could sway Environment Minister Nick Smith to consider making waterways swimmable.

Smith visited Palmerston North on Thursday as part the Government's nationwide fresh water consultation, the night before a new five-year plan to clean up the Manawatu River was due to be released.

As the meeting turned over to the public for questions, a range were posed of the minister ranging from swimmable waterways and the Shannon wastewater treatment plant, to a protest rap, and a reading of a few verses from the book of Genesis.

Smith fielded several questions on why the Government was not aiming for swimmable waterways.

Each time, he responded that it simply was not "practical".

"I do not think a legal requirement for every water body in New Zealand to be swimmable is practical."

Smith said not every waterway was one that needed to be, or had ever previously been swimmable.

"Our ambition is for a lot more areas to be swimmable... but we want to be practical."

In his opening presentation, Smith said the country had an abundance of freshwater, but had been careless.

Progress was now being held back by "fractious points of view", with some criticising farmers and others criticising environmentalists.

"That kind of name calling does not get us anywhere."

The Government wanted to improve the environment, but Smith made it clear that there had to be considerations for the economy.

It would take time to make improvements, he said.

"Those looking for instant solution are going to be disappointed...we need to be looking for progressive gains."

He said New Zealand's waterways were "pretty good" by international standards.

The fresh water document includes changes for the stock in waterways issue.

Smith said one set of rules was required as leaving it up to regional councils was a "potpourri mess".

The Government was looking at instant fines of $100 per animal up to $2000.