October 25, 2016
Boost for Manawatu iwi river clean up
Rangitane o Tamaki Nui a Rua is to get more than $500,000 ($534,000) from the government’s Te Mana o Te Wai Fund for its project to clean up the Manawatu River.
Tu Te Manawa involves extensive planting of native species along the river banks and building 50km of fencing, as well as installing eight whare, or information points, along the river where visitors can access information about the historical and cultural significance of each site.
Environment Minister Dr Nick Smith says the balance of the $800,000 budget will come from the iwi, Horizons Regional Council, local territorial authorities, and landowners.
It’s on top of the $5.2 million the Government set aside in 2012 towards a $30 million work programme to clean up the river.
The $5 million Te Mana o Te Wai Fund announced in Budget 2014 in partnership with the Maori Party to support iwi and hapu-led initiatives to improve local freshwater systems.
Copyright © 2016, UMA Broadcasting Ltd: www.waateanews.com