Tuesday afternoon’s opening of the Wairoa River mouth has enabled the Wairoa District Council to return to its usual wastewater discharge operations.

Wairoa District Council Chief Executive Kitea Tipuna said it had been a challenging few days while the bar was restricted, and he was impressed with how the partners all worked together.

“This was a situation where we had to work within the limitations that were in place, and we are appreciative of the support we received, particularly from the Hawke’s Bay Regional Council compliance team, the Māori Waste Water Group and kaitiaki who participated in river sampling, Affco who we worked with to manage our respective discharges – voluntarily withholding releases, and those in the community who reduced their water use.

“Despite the restricted river mouth, Wairoa District Council did not breach any of its discharge conditions and treated wastewater releases were within the consent conditions and the condition of the Wairoa River and restricted river mouth.

“The situation will still be closely monitored. We continue to advise that people should not swim in the river or collect mahinga kai in the lower river area until further water sampling is carried out.”

4 December 2024

Back to News & Media