October 10, 2013
Ruapehu crisis chance to do things right
A representative of the Mount Ruapehu iwi says the values of tangata whenua need to be considered in the clean up of the Raetihi water supply.
Water was cut to the town when diesel leaked from a tank serving the Turoa ski field into the Makotuku Stream.
Che Wilson from Ngati Rangi says there have been problems with the town’s water for years, and it needs to be seen as a chance to develop the best long term solution.
He says Ngati Rangi has postponed what was to be the first iwi snow sports championships because it needs to concentrate on helping with the clean-up
Ruapehu District Council chief executive Peter Till says the stream was likely to be contaminated until Christmas and perhaps up to a year.
Much of the diesel is still sitting in the water lines, which will be flushed over the next week.
Until there is a safe supply Raetihi will be supplied by water tankers.
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