March 01, 2024
Broken sewage pipe pollutes northern paradise
A far north weaver and cultural monitor says the collapse of a sewage pipe at Whatuwhihi on the Karikari Peninsula is a sign the region’s infrastructure isn’t coping with the pressure of increasing population and the effects of climate change.
Nina Raharuhi from Ngāti Kahu says the break near Tokerau Beach meant raw sewage spilled into a creek and polluted the moana.
She says parts of the 50-year-old pipe running along the coast have become exposed by erosion, and breaks are common.
“It just can’t handle it and what happened is the foundations fell apart and the pipe gave way. (Far North Disctrict Council) is looking at redirecting the sewage pipe off the waterfront so it will go through the back which will also cause issues but we’ve got to do something,” she says.
Nina Raharuhi says Ngāti Kahu also has to deal with four wheel drives and motorcycles which rampage over the dunes, exposing kōiwi and hastening erosion.