August 31, 2020
Vegetables more important than iwi values
Muaūpoko Tribal Authority says a decision to exempt Punahau/ Lake Horowhenua from national limits for nitrate toxicity and cynobacteria flies in the face of a Waitangi Tribunal report affirming the iwi’s ownership and kaitiakitanga of the awa.
Chief executive Di Rump says it’s the largest dune lake in Aotearoa with six native fish species, including two species of eel.
Heavy pollution means toxic cyanobacteria is regularly present.
The lake and the other water courses in the Muaūpoko rohe aound Levin were exempted because of the importance of the market gardens in the area supplying vegetables to Wellington.
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