Hui Calls for Moratorium On New Water Bottling Applications

Tuesday, 11 November 2014, 4:11 pm
Press Release: Ngati Kahungunu Iwi Inc

Media Release – 11 November 2014

“Waipatu Marae Hui Calls for a Moratorium On All New Water Bottling Applications”

Plans to allow bottling of water from the Heretaunga aquifer for overseas markets should be halted until the hydrology is investigated and communities, industry and growers can be sure that these activities won’t have a detrimental effect on current users.

A Hui-a-Hapū at Waipatu Marae held on Sunday unanimously decided to call on district and regional council to put a moratorium on all new consents or increases to existing consents for water extraction from the Heretaunga aquifer. The moratorium should remain in place until science and engineering data proves the existing capacity of the aquifer to fulfil current consents, and that further consents will not impact adversely on the existing economy, communities, marae and households.

There is significant concern about the impacts of “increased water extraction” pressure on the aquifer. A current consent of 364,000 cubic metres of water could be shipped offshore annually, increasing to 900,000 cubic metres of water in three years, from just one bore. The current and proposed consents for water bottling purposes total nearly 2.5 million cubic metres of water. This is the fourth largest extraction from the Heretaunga aquifer, behind Hastings District water supply and Wattie’s - a significant contributor to the regional economy. It is also enough water to supply a small town.

Waipatu residents and other Ngāti Hawea hapū members are concerned that parts of Twyford ran dry last year, and the orchardists were prohibited from irrigating their orchards. Last week, we were made aware that a deep well drilled in the near vicinity has struck salt water, a definite indicator of an aquifer under extreme stress, which could then affect the economic potential of the entire Hawke’s Bay. Further extraction should not be granted until further information confirms that it will not threaten the integrity of the aquifer, the life giving force and driver of our local economy.

Waipatu Marae are calling a hui for the general public on Sunday, 16 November 2014 from 1.00pm to 3.00pm, to ascertain whether hapū concerns are supported by the general community, and are inviting local horticulturalists and businesses to this public forum.

“The combined hapū of Heretaunga have a treaty claim over the aquifer, and this will be re-examined in light of the threat to its integrity”, says Ngāhiwi Tomoana, spokesman for Waipatu Marae.

The Hawke’s Bay Regional Council was represented at the initial hui by Rex Graham, and an apology was tendered by Mayor Lawrence Yule of the Hastings District Council, who is currently overseas.

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