Special Tribunal recommend Te Waikoropupū Springs be protected by order
Tuesday, 17 March 2020
A world-famous freshwater springs, its associated water bodies, and the aquifer that feeds them should have the highest national protection, a long awaited report says.
A Special Tribunal has been deliberating for nearly 20 months following a hearing for a Water Conservation Order for Te Waikoropupū Springs in Golden Bay.
On Tuesday, the tribunal released its recommendations to Environment Minister David Parker.
In its report the tribunal recommended the application for the Water Conservation Order be granted over both the confined and unconfined Arthur Marble Aquifer, and over Te Waikoropupū Springs.
This includes the main spring, Dancing Sands Spring and Fish Creek Springs.
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The report said the water bodies were found to have 'outstanding amenity or intrinsic values' in their natural state that warranted protection through an order.
The application was made by Ngāti Tama Ki Te Waipounamu Trust and Golden Bay resident Andrew Yuill.
The springs are the largest freshwater springs in the Southern Hemisphere and contain some of the clearest water ever measured. They are wāhi tapu and are considered highly sacred to local iwi.
The report also recommended that protection apply to the headwaters of the Takaka River and to its surface water tributaries, including the Waingaro River, due to the contributions of these waters to the values and characteristics of the Arthur Marble Aquifer and Te Waikoropupū Springs.
As a consequence, the draft order provided controls on water takes and discharges to protect aquifer pressure and water quality.
There were also recommended exemptions, including for some necessary river works and structures, plant pest control, the operation of existing consents, as well as a specific exemption for the continued operation and maintenance of the Cobb Hydro-Electric Power Scheme.
The Tribunal recommended that the order be declined for the Anatoki River and the Waikoropupū River, as these were not hydraulically connected to Te Waikoropupū Springs.
It said the outstanding values of the springs, the aquifer and its associated water bodies included biodiversity, habitat for indigenous wildlife including for stygofauna and biofilms, natural characteristics, wild and scenic values, habitat for indigenous flora, scientific and ecological values, including exceptional water clarity, and significance to tikanga Māori.
An appeal can be lodged in the Environment Court within 15 days to challenge the recommendations.
If submissions are lodged, the court will conduct a public inquiry.
Following that, the court will make a report to the Minister for the Environment recommending that the Special Tribunal's report be rejected or accepted with or without modifications.
A Water Conservation Order is made on the recommendation of the Minister.
- The draft Water Conservation Order and the reasons for the Special Tribunal's conclusions are contained in the report on the application, which can be viewed here. Hard copies will also be available at Takaka Memorial Library, Elma Turner Library, Collingwood Memorial Library, Tasman District Library and Motueka Public Library.