More than 40,000 people have signed a petition asking Ashburton District Council to abandon its controversial water sale.
Around 60 people turned up at an Ashburton District Council meeting to hear a submission opposing the deal, which will see the rights to 40 billion litres of water sold.
Bung the Bore founder Jen Branje says there's been a groundswell of support from across the country.
"Canterbury is a drought-prone area," she says, "We just can't see why we're giving 40 billion litres away."
Ms Branje says the water could instead be used for agriculture in the region.
"We're really glad the people of New Zealand have got behind us. This is increasingly becoming a nationwide issue -- there's companies that are coming into New Zealand and taking our water at a very minimal cost and making billions and billions of dollars."
Ashburton Mayor Angus McKay says the council has been transparent about the process.
"Five years ago we put in our long-term plan that we were going to seek a water well on a lot at the business estate to make it a more saleable proposition."
New Zealand Pure Blue has an arrangement with the council. It was incorporated in July last year, and its directors are Royden Hartnett and John Paynter. Walker Davey Limited, a Christchurch business advisory firm, owns the company.
Mr McKay says the council has abided by the rules every step of the way, and it would have to be discussed at Parliament.
"My responsibility...is to do the best for this district, and that means we have to look into our crystal ball for the future for jobs for the people."
The company has told Mr McKay more than 100 jobs would be created, but there is no guarantee.
Lot 9 in the Ashburton Business Estate where the water will be taken (Newshub.)
Ashburton Councillor Ken Cutforth is concerned for the environment if the sale goes through.
"They're getting 30 years of water extractions when we've got wells going dry," he says.
Environment Canterbury has prevented water consents in the same area from locals, he says.
"We should put a value on water. The community own the water, our grandchildren own the water and what we're doing is saying 'come in and help yourselves'."
Ms Branje says legal action will be taken if the council doesn't abandon the sale.
Mr McKay says he is concerned people are upset about the sale, but that people need jobs.
He wouldn't say how much the council sold the water for, citing legal obligations.
The petition being presented to the Ashburton District Council (Thomas Mead)
Newshub.
