Save the Manuherekia River
Save the Manuherekia River
The issue
The Manuherekia in Central Otago is one of the most modified, over-allocated, and degraded rivers in Aotearoa-New Zealand. This is the result of historic abuse of the river from goldmining days through to current use for local intensive agricultural and horticultural purposes. A recent meeting (25th August) of the Otago Regional Council saw a majority of representatives decline to accept either staff advice on measures to remediate the river, or Kāi Tahu recommendations supported by environmental NGO’s, instead insisting that further science was necessary.
The problem with the Awa was acknowledged thirty years ago, and the last three years have seen huge investments of time, energy, money, and research on how to fix the river. Council procrastination and resistance to accepting the results has led to delaying any response. It is clear to observers and people who value clear, fresh, and abundant waterways, that the Otago Regional Council is incapable of fulfilling its responsibilities as Kaitiaki (guardians) of the Manuherekia. For the sake of the river we need independent Commissioners appointed to lead the Council in governance.
If you are passionate about the environment, and value the heritage of clean and fresh rivers, please make your feelings clear to Minister David Parker by signing the petition. The situation has reached crisis proportions where it needs urgent intervention. All we have seen from the decisions of the majority of current ORC Councillors is denial, delay, obsfuscation, and ruses to avoid making essential decisions. The time has come for shifting the paradigm, rather than the deckchairs on the Titanic.
Watch this video plea to ORC Councillors by GenerationZero
Petition
I/we call on Minister for the Environment, Hon. David Parker, to dismiss the Otago Regional Council for failure to comply with the requirements of the National Policy Statement – Freshwater (2020) in regard to the Manuherekia rohe. I/we further call for the appointment of Commissioners to be appointed by the Minister to replace sitting Councillors in order to continue governance of the Otago Regional Council. This request is made because:
Sitting Councillors have failed to implement Te Mana o te Wai in their decisions.
Minimum flows as canvassed by the community and suggested by Kāi Tahu have been ignored.
After thirty years of forewarning, and three years of extensive scientific investigation, a majority of Councillors are still seeking excuses which are delaying the remediation of the Manuherekia River.
Te Awa, the Manuherekia, is severely stressed, over-allocated, and degraded. Let's implement a restorative flow setting as we head towards solutions.
The issue
The Manuherekia in Central Otago is one of the most modified, over-allocated, and degraded rivers in Aotearoa-New Zealand. This is the result of historic abuse of the river from goldmining days through to current use for local intensive agricultural and horticultural purposes. A recent meeting (25th August) of the Otago Regional Council saw a majority of representatives decline to accept either staff advice on measures to remediate the river, or Kāi Tahu recommendations supported by environmental NGO’s, instead insisting that further science was necessary.
The problem with the Awa was acknowledged thirty years ago, and the last three years have seen huge investments of time, energy, money, and research on how to fix the river. Council procrastination and resistance to accepting the results has led to delaying any response. It is clear to observers and people who value clear, fresh, and abundant waterways, that the Otago Regional Council is incapable of fulfilling its responsibilities as Kaitiaki (guardians) of the Manuherekia. For the sake of the river we need independent Commissioners appointed to lead the Council in governance.
If you are passionate about the environment, and value the heritage of clean and fresh rivers, please make your feelings clear to Minister David Parker by signing the petition. The situation has reached crisis proportions where it needs urgent intervention. All we have seen from the decisions of the majority of current ORC Councillors is denial, delay, obsfuscation, and ruses to avoid making essential decisions. The time has come for shifting the paradigm, rather than the deckchairs on the Titanic.
Watch this video plea to ORC Councillors by GenerationZero
Petition
I/we call on Minister for the Environment, Hon. David Parker, to dismiss the Otago Regional Council for failure to comply with the requirements of the National Policy Statement – Freshwater (2020) in regard to the Manuherekia rohe. I/we further call for the appointment of Commissioners to be appointed by the Minister to replace sitting Councillors in order to continue governance of the Otago Regional Council. This request is made because:
Sitting Councillors have failed to implement Te Mana o te Wai in their decisions.
Minimum flows as canvassed by the community and suggested by Kāi Tahu have been ignored.
After thirty years of forewarning, and three years of extensive scientific investigation, a majority of Councillors are still seeking excuses which are delaying the remediation of the Manuherekia River.
Te Awa, the Manuherekia, is severely stressed, over-allocated, and degraded. Let's implement a restorative flow setting as we head towards solutions.
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Petition created on 26 August 2021