Sewage spills ‘harming our seas’
Iwi calls on council to do more to end ocean pollution
Asouth Taranaki iwi says continuing sewage spills into coastal waters are intolerable. Nga¯ti Ruanui has told a hearing on South Taranaki District Council’s proposed long term plan that the best options to improve Ha¯wera’s wastewater system had been chosen with iwi co-operation.
The iwi’s submission said that solution must explicitly be added to the council’s long term plan.
“For years we have seen continued pollution of our shellfish and overall harm to our reefs and the lifesupporting capacity, all of which is a direct result of the wastewater plant, including norovirus pollution.”
Nga¯ ti Ruanui’s senior environmental adviser, Graham Young, said the plan’s focus on sustainability was for nothing if the council remained one of the district’s biggest ocean polluters.
“We are disappointed that the long term plan does not set out a more explicit road map . . . to reduce, if not eradicate, the continued pollution of our ocean reef systems from the combined ocean outfall with Fonterra.”
Young says Pa¯ tea also suffers multiple sewage spills each year during heavy rain.
“Equally you need to urgently address the constant failure of the York St pumping station at Pa¯tea, which allows untreated waste to pour into the Pa¯tea awa every year — this is no longer tolerable.”
Young also objected to iwi being slotted into the plan under the heading “Vibrant South Taranaki”.
“This does not reflect the growing partnerships with iwi and hapu¯ of the district. The notation of iwi/hapu under ‘Vibrant South Taranaki’ has no real meaning for a modern and active partnership arrangement which reflects Te Tiriti obligations.”
Nga¯ruahine’s submission also called for a real partnership with the council, which it said was too focused on meeting legal obligations.
“We suggest that council policy, strategies, statutory plans and nonstatutory plans are co-developed with the four iwi of the district.”
Both iwi welcomed the approval of a Ma¯ori ward for South Taranaki District at next year’s elections.
Nga¯ruahine iwi development advisor Dion Luke said the council’s efforts to create a better partnership needed to continue.
“We acknowledge the draft iwicouncil partnership strategy as a positive step in identifying common goals and developing a meaningful horizontal partnership.”