Forest & Bird says it's important the Ngaruroro river is recognised and protected for its outstanding values.
This week Forest & Bird will be presenting evidence to a Special Tribunal considering whether to grant a Water Conservation Order (WCO) over the river.
“New Zealand has very few rivers like the Ngaruroro,” says Tom Kay, Forest & Bird’s Lower North Island Regional Manager. “It’s one of the only braided rivers in the North Island and is outstanding habitat for native birds and fish.”
Threatened bird species reliant on the lower river and estuary include white heron, Australasian bittern, banded dotterel, and the black-billed gull – the world’s most endangered gull.
A hearing for the upper Ngaruroro river was held in 2018. The hearing this week will consider evidence relating to the lower section of the river, from Whanawhana to the coast.
Mr Kay says the Ngaruroro has very high water quality right through its lower reaches. “Unfortunately, this is really unusual for a lowland river in New Zealand now.”
“The Ngaruroro is also popular with Hawke's Bay residents and visitors who swim, raft and kayak in the river every summer,” says Mr Kay.
Forest & Bird lodged the application for a WCO on the Ngaruroro river in 2015 alongside co-applicants Fish & Game, Operation Pātiki/Ngāti Hori ki Kohupatiki, Whitewater New Zealand, and Jetboating New Zealand.
Despite vocal opposition from some lobby groups about the effect on water users, Mr Kay says the proposed WCO is compatible with sustainable rural activities.
There are 15 water bodies around New Zealand that have Water Conservation Orders for their outstanding values.
The hearing start today, Tuesday 26 February at the Napier Conference Centre and run for two weeks.
The schedule for the hearing is available here.
Forest & Bird’s evidence is available here.
Drone footage and photos of the lower river are available here.
UPDATE - 30 Nov 2020
Help Fight for New Zealand's Rivers
Five years ago, Forest & Bird and other e-NGOs applied to the government for a Water Conservation Order (WCO) to protect the whole river. In 2019, a Special Tribunal recommended a WCO for the upper river – but not the lower. Forest & Bird was surprised by the decision. We believe the lower reaches of the river meet the criteria as nationally outstanding for indigenous birds and fish. It’s home to the largest population of tūturiwhatu banded dotterel and black-fronted dotterel in New Zealand. It’s also important for endangered matuku bittern and has the only population of tōrea South Island pied oystercatchers in the North Island. The Special Tribunal agreed with this and said the lower river was nationally outstanding for birds, but they disagreed it was threatened and therefore did not need protection with a WCO.
Forest & Bird is concerned the lower Ngaruroro – the section that is braided – may come under the same agricultural pressure that is killing other braided rivers, including the Rangitata River in Canterbury. Even if it’s not threatened today, it might be tomorrow. We believe the tribunal’s decision is illogical and our legal team believes it is legally flawed. We have lodged an appeal due to be heard by the Environment Court.
In February 2021, our small in-house legal team will be facing up against a regional council, two district councils, Federated Farmers, Horticulture NZ, and several large commercial wineries.
This case is about one river. But the outcome will set a precedent that will either protect, or threaten, every single braided river in New Zealand.
You can donate to support our case to protect the fish and birds in the Ngaruroro River.