August 11, 2013
Shared aim to stop lagoon flipping
Ngāi Tahu wants to see an internationally significant wetland restored to full health.
Four Murihiku rūnanga are working alongside the Department of Conservation, Environment Southland and the Southland District Council to clean up Waituna Lagoon near the Tiwai Point aluminium smelter.
Dean Whaanga, the environmental consultant for the rūnanga, says Te Hapua Waituna is a traditional mahinga kai providing foods like parera or grey duck and tuna.
He says an incident two summers ago when the lagoon threatened to flip into a murky, algae-dominated state was a wake up all for all those with statutory roles in the lagoon.
"We don’t want that because Ngāi Tahu has already had Waihora Lake Ellesmere near Christchurch, that has already flipped some time ago. Ours isn't there. We don't want to get into that state, so we are working around it together," Mr Whaanga says.
The new accord will provide a stronger basis to start working with farmers and other stakeholders in the catchment to improve the quality of water going in to Waituna.
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