Landmark step for wastewater disposal in Hokianga

Plans to discharge wastewater to land instead of the Hokianga Harbour took a significant step forward today (Friday 26 September) with the purchase of a 10-hectare block of land in Rāwene.

The block of land officially purchased today includes 7.5 hectares of pine forest and is located on Rāwene Road near the existing wastewater ponds. It is adjacent to a 2-hectare block purchased by the council last year.

A working group for the Rāwene Wastewater Treatment-Transformation Project was formed after 2013 when an Environment Court mediation required the council to work with hapū-led community liaison group Te Mauri o Te Wai, to find appropriate wastewater solutions and a different location for the treatment of wastewater.

Te Mauri o Te Wai (TMoTW) has been working for decades on ways to improve the taiao (environment), including an estimated 16 years seeking to move the Rāwene wastewater treatment system from its Te Raupo site. Te Raupo has always been an extremely significant place for Ngāti Hau, Ngāti Kaharau and other Hokianga hapū, and as such is not seen as an appropriate site for human waste disposal.

TMoTW includes representatives of Ngāti Hau, Ngāti Kaharau, Te Hikutu, Te Mahurehure, Ngāi Tupoto and the Rāwene community. A representative of the working group, Dallas King said the group is both pleased and relieved at the outcome.

"This is a step towards our goal of zero human waste to wai. It is cost effective and demonstrates the benefit of relationships that respect Te Tiriti o Waitangi, hapū and communities. The imposition of a wastewater treatment system located on Te Raupō and discharging into the Ōmanaia awa is something local hapū have endured for far too long. The working group will continue to engage with those living near the site and is focussed on identifying agreeable solutions by working together.”

In 2022, the council was granted ‘Better Off’ funding from the government to work with TMoTW to investigate an alternative location for sewage treatment for Rāwene. This funding has helped minimise the impact of the transformation project on ratepayers.

The budget for the land purchase was approved in the Long Term Plan.

Find out more about Te Mauri o te Wai on its Facebook page.

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Main image supplied by Kelly Yakas.