Taniwha fears for salmon farm
‘White dolphin’ deity a late surprise in talks over relocation, writes Elena McPhee.
LEGEND has it that a tribal deity has been holed up in the Marlborough Sounds for centuries, protecting seafarers.
And now the spiritual guardian or taniwha known as Kaikaiawaro could be used to try to block the relocation of six salmon farms.
It’s understood Ngati Kuia, who are opposed to the salmon farm on the grounds that it is being driven for ‘‘short-term profits’’, may cite the creature during the consultation process.
A Ngati Kuia spokesman said in a statement the salmon farms were a threat to the long-term health of the Sounds.
‘‘The world is changing with increasing demands and new technologies. It is increasingly important that we take a longterm view and look after our special place, our home, our taonga.
‘‘In our view this proposal is being driven for short-term profits and over the long-term will have major consequences on our environment, social, economic and cultural wellbeing.’’
Maori historian Dr Peter Meihana, a lecturer at Massey University, said there were believed to be many different incarnations of Kaikaiawaro over time.
‘‘For Nga¯ti Kuia, their identity is based firmly on their relationship with the ‘white dolphin’ — Kaikaiawaro— and the waters he frequented,’’ Meihana said.
In their written submission on the salmon proposal the iwi said they had the ‘‘unenviable task’’ of being in the position of kaitiaki, or guardians of the area. They were going to expand on their submission to the hearings panel, where they are expected to talk in greater detail about the importance of the site.
Meihana said he believed Ngati Kuia’s objections were predicated on the cultural significance of the site, and the iwi’s history and association with Pelorus.
King Salmon CEO Grant Rosewarne said an iwi member had raised the subject of Kaikaiawaro with him, at a late stage of the consultation, and it had come as a surprise.
The company was trying to find out how many Ngati Kuia members still believed in the deity, Rosewarne said. ‘‘I doubt whether a majority hold that belief.’’
If Ngati Kuia members truly believed in Kaikaiawaro he would expect them to do something to indicate their belief, for instance as Christians celebrated Easter and Christmas, Rosewarne said.
Kaikaiawaro is said to live in a cave at the entrance to the Pelorus Sound, and has helped travellers cross Cook Strait. According to legend, the latest incarnation was the well-loved risso’s dolphin Pelorus Jack, who guided ships through French Pass in the early 20th century.
The Ministry for Primary Industries is proposing to relocate six salmon farms at low-flow sites for better environmental outcomes. Two would be near the western entry point to Pelorus Sound, three more in Pelorus Sound and one proposed for Tory Channel.
In January, MPI called for submissions on its proposal to relocate the farms, after concerns three were failing to meet bestpractice guidelines, and three more would fail to meet them in the future. Nearly 600 submissions were received – with two-thirds in favour of King Salmon.
A hearings panel will listen to submissions from residents, businesses and other groups until May 17.