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the Report Card gives a picture of where the most
improvement is needed,” says Mr Luxton.
Mr Morgan says there is definitely more work to be
done. “My iwi, Waikato-Tainui, has for many years
felt the river was in poor shape as it moves through
our tribal area. The Report Card acknowledges this,
but it is also concerning to see areas in the upper
catchment, thought to be pristine, also reflecting
a drop in their quality,” he says. Mr Morgan says
the work of the Authority is critical in bringing
together the many groups required to turn around
and restore the health and wellbeing of the
catchment for all its communities.
The Report Card grades in the upper catchment
are not finalised and subject to further discussions
with river iwi in those areas. Iwi chairs Vanessa
Eparaima (Raukawa), Roger Pikia (Te Arawa River
Iwi Trust) and John Bishara (Tuwharetoa) say while
the scores are not finalised they continue to
support the important mahi and the work of those
further downstream.
Waikato-Tainui CEO Parekawhia McLean says the
Report Card builds upon the co-management
approach of the Waikato River Settlement by
getting iwi and the community involved in
contributing their experiences and information
alongside science.
“We are pleased to see the Report Card capture the
collective wisdom and aspirations of iwi and the
entire region to restore and protect the health and
wellbeing of the Waikato River for now and into the
future,” she says
Policy Manager –
Tuwharetoa
The Tuwharetoa Maori Trust Board is currently
recruiting for a Natural Resources and Policy
Manager. The role would suit someone with a
strong interest in iwi development, and with
experience in senior management roles, resource
management, environmental law and policy.
Further details about the position can be found
at
www.seek.co.nz.
Police Dive Squad
find ‘fleet of
submerged cars’ in
clean-up operation
Ten members of the squad pulled nine cars and
other dumped material from a 50 metre stretch
of the river near the Pukete boat ramp. Senior
Sergeant Bruce Adams says it appeared some of
vehicles had been in the river for more than a
decade.
The Dive Squad has an on-going relationship with
the Authority, having previously removed vehicles
from the Waikato River at Broadlands as part of a
Waikato River Authority funded project.
The Waikato River Trails project between Atiamuri
and Lake Karapiro has been a key beneficiary of
funding from the Waikato River Authority in recent
years. The river trails project has enabled significant
riparian management with 42,000 native trees
being planted. The project continues to provide
river access for many thousands of people every
year and involve a large range of volunteer and
community groups in trail maintenance.
River Trails
story captures
international
attention
The Police National Dive Squad provided practical
clean-up work of the Waikato River in north Hamilton
recently during scheduled dive squad training.
Students from Hong Kong’s Victoria Shanghai
Academy who carried out volunteer work on
the Waikato River Trails recently.