BREAKING! Ngaruroro River to be protected by Water Conservation Order

Above and cover picture of upper Ngaruroro River

The Ngaruroro River, which flows from the Kaweka Ranges to the sea near Napier, is set to be protected by a Water Conservation Order (‘WCO’), thanks to a 2015 application lodged by Forest and Bird and others, following an Environment Court recommendation last week.

The Ngaruroro is a valuable habitat for native freshwater fish, three-quarters of which are at risk of extinction. Its lower reaches are also home to the largest population of banded dotterel and black-fronted dotterel (tūturiwhatu), the only population of South Island pied oystercatchers (tōrea) in the North Island, and harbours the endangered bittern (matuku).

Under the WCO the Ngaruroro River will be protected by prohibitions on damming, limits on alteration to the flow and form of the river, limits on measures of water quality, and fish screen requirements for water takes.

The WCO was opposed by some farmers and horticulturalists - including current Regional Councillor and orchardist Jerf Van Beek - concerned about its possible negative economic and social impacts on them.

These challengers clearly also oppose the government’s decision-making framework ‘Te mana o te wai’ which underpins its National Freshwater Policy by prioritising:

1. Health and well-being of water;

2. Human health (i.e. drinking water); then

3. Other uses (i.e. commercial).

Wise Water Use fully support the view of advocate, Ngaio Tiuka, “Te mana o te wai before security of supply”.

Read the full story by Hawkes Bay Today report, Marty Sharpe, here.