Latest news with #TeRūnangaoAwarua
RNZ News
3 days ago
- General
- RNZ News
Southland lagoon at risk of ecological tipping point, warns DOC
Waituna Lagoon is on the receiving end of sediment and nutrient run-off. Photo: Supplied / Sarah Crump An ecologically significant Southland lagoon that has been plagued by algal blooms and deteriorating water quality is at risk of crossing a tipping point without intervention, the Department of Conservation says. Waituna Lagoon, south-east of Invercargill, is part of the internationally significant Awarua-Waituna Wetlands - but its position at the bottom of a 20,000ha intensively-farmed catchment area means it is on the receiving end of sediment and nutrient run-off. An independent panel is considering a consent application by the Southland Regional Council, Te Rūnanga o Awarua and the Department of Conservation (DOC) to determine if the lagoon should continue being periodically opened to the sea to manage water levels. The council used emergency powers twice last year to open Waituna Lagoon to flush out cyanobacterial bloom . At the first day of the hearing on Tuesday, DOC solicitor Pene Williams said the lagoon was an ecologically significant site that was home to native birds, fish and plants. "More than 90 species of birds have been recorded. It is a place where the arctic migratory species come in our summer, their winter. There's also waterfowl, waders, wetlands species. Some of these are at conservation concern," she said. "It's a place that people go to recreate, including to appreciate its ecological values, and its cultural values. It's the only remaining coastal lagoon on the east coast in a natural ecological condition but it remains at risk of crossing that tipping point without action being taken." During a public notification period last year, 51 people made submissions, 42 of which opposed the change. Many submitters sought changes to the frequency or duration of the lagoon openings, raising concerns the proposed higher water levels could cause flooding and impede drainage. Fish & Game and Forest & Bird objected to a proposed 20-year transition period in the plan, which would involve gradually raising the water level thresholds at which the lagoon could be opened to the sea. Both organisations wanted higher water levels to begin without delay. Williams said DOC, the council and Te Rūnanga o Awarua were committed to working with the community to restore the lagoon. "We have submissions from people who deeply care about Waituna, who have been recreating, working, observing, celebrating Waituna for generations," she said. "This [plan] is managing the lagoon as the receiving environment for what is coming down the catchment in a way which promotes hauora, and restores it." Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
Otago Daily Times
19-06-2025
- General
- Otago Daily Times
Panel to decide if lagoon should be opened
The Waituna Lagoon is located southeast of Invercargill within the 20,000ha Awarua-Waituna Wetland. PHOTO: SUPPLIED A Southland lagoon will be the subject of a hearing to decide if periodic openings to the sea should be allowed. Waituna Lagoon is located southeast of Invercargill next to Toetoes Bay, and forms part of an internationally significant wetland. But the area has been troubled with both high water levels and algae outbreaks in recent years due to nutrient buildup, with runoff from surrounding farmland proving an issue. A previous resource consent for opening the lagoon expired in 2022, meaning two openings in 2024 were completed under emergency powers. Last July, Environment Southland received a resource consent application from itself, Te Rūnanga o Awarua and the Department of Conservation to periodically open the lagoon to the sea. The goal was to create a regime for managing the lagoon's water levels, a report said. A total of 51 submissions were received during a public notification period, of which 42 opposed the application and wanted to be heard at a hearing. On Thursday, Environment Southland appointed three people to an independent panel to decide the application's fate — accredited hearing commissioners Mark St. Clair, Megan McKay and Dr Ian Boothroyd. Council chairman Nicol Horrell said staff had worked hard to get commissioners in place. "I think that'll be appreciated by some of the submitters, so well done." The hearing will be held at Environment Southland from July 29-31. The council has already sent the dates to relevant parties. Submitters in favour of the consent include Southland Conservation Board, Te Ao Mārama Inc and Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu. Federated Farmers opposed it based on proposed water levels for opening, while Forest & Bird was mostly supportive but also took issue with some of the proposed levels. Waituna Lagoon is home to native birds, fish and plants. In 1976, the area became the first in New Zealand to be recognised under the Ramsar Convention as a wetland of international significance. ■LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.
1News
07-05-2025
- General
- 1News
Council rejects wish of rūnanga to obtain land
A piece of land with special significance to Māori will likely not be returned after Invercargill councillors voted to retain the status quo. Mokomoko Reserve in Omaui — 25 minutes from Invercargill — was identified for potential disposal in August 2023. The triangular-shaped section covers almost 5000 square metres and is grazed by way of an informal relationship with a neighbouring farmer. Te Rūnanga o Awarua submitted to the council in October 2023 highlighting the significance of Omaui and desire to have a place for reconnecting with the land. The area was known as a place of burial, and caution needed to be taken in changing land use due to the possibility of desecrating unknown urupā, former rūnanga kaiwhakahaere Dean Whaanga wrote at the time. Whaanga also presented on Tuesday, reiterating it was a great opportunity for the council to offer the land as a place to camp or gather kai. But the council's consultation also saw a number of residents object to revocation, with retention of the view a key concern. Council mana whenua representative Evelyn Cook supported disposing of the land and said the issue was being left for a future council, even though there had been an indication it was trying to reduce its number of non-useful reserves. 'And this is one that some people would like to have . . . as a low-key, low impact use, and I'm a little sad that we're not actually looking at that potential," she said. Mana whenua representative Pania Coote agreed, saying the council was not thinking ahead. 'This land is not fit for purpose for the council, so there's an opportunity here to actually put it where it's best needed and I think where it's best needed is to go back to the people.' Ultimately, Cook and Coote were the only members to vote against stopping the revocation process and not disposing of the land. Whaanga — who is now a trustee of the rūnanga — told Local Democracy Reporting he was disappointed by the outcome. But he looked forward to working with the council on projects important to iwi and the community, as well as understanding how the council would make sure reserve land was managed well for future generations. Other options available to the council following potential revocation were to sell the land on the open market or to a neighbour. The land in question is landlocked with no accessway. A final decision on the land is yet to be made, with Tuesday's decision a recommendation to full council. LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air
Scoop
06-05-2025
- General
- Scoop
Council Rejects Wish Of Rūnanga To Obtain Land
A piece of land with special significance to Māori will not be returned after Invercargill councillors voted to retain the status quo. Mokomoko Reserve in Omaui — 25 minutes from Invercargill — was identified for potential disposal in August 2023. The triangular-shaped section covers almost 5000 square metres and is grazed by way of an informal relationship with a neighbouring farmer. Te Rūnanga o Awarua submitted to the council in October 2023 highlighting the significance of Omaui and desire to have a place for reconnecting with the land. The area was known as a place of burial, and caution needed to be taken in changing land use due to the possibility of desecrating unknown urupā, former rūnanga kaiwhakahaere Dean Whaanga wrote at the time. Whaanga also presented on Tuesday, reiterating it was a great opportunity for the council to offer the land as a place to camp or gather kai. But the council's consultation also saw a number of residents object to revocation, with retention of the view a key concern. Council mana whenua representative Evelyn Cook supported disposing of the land and said the issue was being left for a future council, even though there had been an indication it was trying to reduce its number of non-useful reserves. 'And this is one that some people would like to have . . . as a low-key, low impact use, and I'm a little sad that we're not actually looking at that potential," she said. Mana whenua representative Pania Coote agreed, saying the council was not thinking ahead. 'This land is not fit for purpose for the council, so there's an opportunity here to actually put it where it's best needed and I think where it's best needed is to go back to the people.' Ultimately, Cook and Coote were the only members to vote against revoking reserve status and disposing of the land. Whaanga — who is now a trustee of the rūnanga — told Local Democracy Reporting he was disappointed by the outcome. But he looked forward to working with the council on projects important to iwi and the community, as well as understanding how the council would make sure reserve land was managed well for future generations. Other options available to the council following potential revocation were to sell the land on the open market or to a neighbour. The land in question is landlocked with no accessway.
