June 23, 2017
Land use changed to clean up lakes
The Rotorua Lakes Trust’s new environment manager says the trust has the capacity to become a world leader in freshwater management.
Nicki Douglas from Ngati Whakaue, Ngati Rangiwewehi and Tuhourangi has been seconded for a year from the Department of Conservation to take up with role.
The lakes were returned to Te Arawa in a 2006 treaty settlement, and the trust has partnered with the crown and district and regional councils to clean up the lakes.
Ms Douglas says that involved weed control, tree planting, fencing and stock control, and a wide range of other measures.
"This programme’s been running for 10 years and we are moving towards our lakes looking a lot better. The real issue is what people are doing on the land. Land is changing so we have pretty significant rules changes through the district and regional plan happening. Quite a bit of innovative work around waste water treatment and things like that. So it's all levels where it hangs on the ground or policies movement and framework that's where is all needs to go," she says.
Nicki Douglas says an important part of the trust’s role is involving Te Arawa members in the clean up and in using the lakes.
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