January 25, 2016
Truck crash threatens springs
A Whangarei hapu fighting for control of its water is concerned at the threat to its taonga from a new state highway.
The proposed route along Mangakahia Rd goes alongside Poroti Springs, which is tapped by Whangarei for the town water supply despite being on a Maori reservation.
This week a logging truck crashed into the reserve, spilling diesel about 20 metres from the reserve.
Hone Edwards from Poroti says it was fortunate the accident happened at 3am.
He says locals want the highway to bypass the village both to protect the springs and for safety.
The NZ Transport Agency says about 20 percent of the 4500 vehicles that use the route each day are logging trucks.
Volumes are expected to increase once a water bottling plant beside the spring is built.
Copyright © 2016, UMA Broadcasting Ltd: www.waateanews.com