May 28, 2021
Dairy farm buy to fix Lake Horowhenua degradation
The Government has dipped into its Jobs for Nature programme to buy a dairy farm next to Lake Horowhenua, which will be turned into a large wetland and indigenous vegetation area.
The project is being promoted as a way to turn around one of the most degraded lakes in the country.
Environment Minister David Parker says it’s is an important step for all those who have been fighting to improve the health of the lake.
The project is a collaboration between Muaūpoko, Lake Horowhenua Trust (representing the owners of the lake), Ngāti Raukawa ki te Tonga, Horizons Regional Council, Horowhenua District Council, dairy farmers, horticulturalists and the wider Lake Horowhenua community.
The 142 hectare farm follows the course of the Arawhata Stream, which runs between Lake Horowhenua and Lake Waiwiri (Papaitonga).
Mr Parker says the council and rural and urban land users also need to play their part in improving water quality.
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