The Green Party has delivered a message to the government calling for the standard for freshwater to be raised from wadeable to swimmable.

Photo: RNZ / Benedict Collins

On Wednesday afternoon, Green MP Catherine Delahunty displayed a list of 12,000 names supporting the call on the steps of Parliament.

Environment Minister Nick Smith was expected to make a freshwater announcement in Auckland on Thursday.

Ms Delahunty said she hoped the minister would announce something robust and genuine to improve river quality.

Dr Smith needed to implement higher standards for water quality and tougher rules for freshwater pollutants, she said.

"Twelve-thousand New Zealanders signed this message saying they want swimmable rivers, not in 20 years' or 80 years' time. They want swimmable rivers now.

"So their expectation is that the government will change the national policy statement on freshwater to make it truly swimmable.

"Nick Smith's about to make some announcement on water - he needs to listen to the people of this country," Ms Delahunty said.