The continuous dumping of untreated raw sewage into Mahurangi Harbour by Watercare and Auckland Council has resulted in waters that are are now unsafe for work, detrimental to marine life and dangerous for people to swim and gather food to feed their families. This dumping affects businesses operating in the harbour but also poses a grave threat to the environment and to the local community which depends heavily on healthy marine life and clean waterways.

The Mahurangi Harbour, a hub of biodiversity and economic activity, deserves urgent action to stop this pollution. Studies have documented the adverse effects of untreated sewage on marine environments, causing widespread harm to marine species, depleting oxygen levels, and increasing levels of harmful bacteria. New Zealand's Clean Waters reports have consistently shown declining water quality in affected areas, endangering both human and marine health.

We are at a breaking point, where the health of our waters can no longer be ignored. The solution lies in halting the discharge of untreated sewage immediately and seeking accountability from Watercare and Auckland Council. We urge the authorities to invest in sustainable and effective waste treatment solutions now, not tomorrow but now, to save the beauty and fertility of our waterways, a problem that was promised to be fixed 5 years ago.

Holding these entities legally accountable for the environmental and economic damages they caused is essential. Legal actions should be pursued, not only for compensation but to act as a deterrent for future violations. It is time for a comprehensive review of current waste management practices, with an aim to implement stricter regulations and environmentally friendly policies.

Join us in safeguarding Mahurangi Harbour by demanding immediate action and accountability. Sign this petition to support our call for change and to protect the invaluable marine ecosystems that sustain us, and many others who rely on these waters for their livelihoods and enjoyment. Together, we can make a difference.