R¯ahui placed on K¯apiti stream after bug detected

Campylobacter has been found in a Ka¯ piti stream, prompting a ra¯ hui, or ban, on the traditional food-gathering spot.

Monitoring by local iwi found the bug on watercress from Paraparaumu’s Wharemauku Stream.

The ra¯ hui was in place to keep the public safe while the source of the bug was found, iwi environmental manager Mahina-a-rangi Baker said.

‘‘This is the bug that caused the serious outbreak in 2016 spread through Havelock North’s drinking water.’’

The Wharemauku Stream runs through the Coastlands Shopping Mall, past the end of the Ka¯piti Airport, and through residential areas before reaching the sea at Raumati Beach.

Baker said the result was found as part of a new monitoring programme led by iwi who had concerns about the stream for some time. ‘‘While it’s a sad result to get, ... now we can act on what has been some long-time worries for this stream.’’

The ra¯hui banned gathering food or having contact with the stream’s water while further testing was carried out.

Medical officer of health Dr Stephen Palmer said campylobacter infection could be a serious illness for the elderly, very young and those with an impaired immune system.

The Ministry for Primary Industries advised all watercress harvested from any other local streams should be cooked and should not be consumed raw.

A Greater Wellington Regional Council spokesman said the Wharemauku Stream, like all urban waterways, was vulnerable to contamination from waste.