January 23, 2013
Algae bloom makes kaimoana a gamble
Māori in the Bay of Plenty are being urged not to gamble with their kaimoana.
A warning is in place because of a toxic algae bloom, but Ngāi Te Rangi Chair Charlie Tawhiao says too many Māori think the ban relates to Pakeha puku.
But he says people have been getting sick from eating shellfish, particularly in the quantities that many Māori like to consume.
He says at such times people are wise to get their kaimoana from a fish shop, where is has been brought in from an unaffected area.
Meanwhile, a Te Arawa group from Maketu is upset it was not allowed to dive on the Astrolabe Reef, where the wreck of the Rena is still being removed by salvors.
Pia Bennett from Te Arawa ki Tai says the trip was approved by the regional council, but blocked at the last minute by the ship’s owners and insurers.
She says the iwi wanted to assess the mauri or wellbeing of the reef for a cultural impacts assessment, which could be used in any potential Environment Court action if permission was sought to leave part of the wreck on the reef.
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