Wetland creation aims to help restore polluted Lake Horowhenua

Thursday, 27 May 2021

Lake Horowhenua is not on the list of safe places to swim.

A wetland is to be constructed near one of New Zealand’s most polluted lakes in efforts to restore it.

Lake Horowhenua, on the outskirts of Levin, is notorious for its poor water quality, with algal blooms regularly covering much of the water during summer.

The land was currently used as a dairy farm and would be converted into a large wetland and indigenous vegetation area, which would benefit the water quality of Lake Horowhenua.

Environment Minister David Parker said the lake had been badly degraded by pollution and poor management.

Environment Minister David Parker says Lake Horowhenua is badly degraded because of pollution and poor management.

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Lake Horowhenua is often contaminated with potentially toxic algae making it a bad spot for swimming.

“The wetland project itself will improve water quality and the habitat for native fish, birds and plant species, while also providing jobs and recreational opportunities for the community.”

The project received $11.2 million from the Government’s Jobs for Nature programme, towards the total cost of $12.5 million.

Environment Minister David Parker says the government is making a major investment in Lake Horowhenua.

The 142 hectare farm land was purchased for $6.7m, and Horizons Regional Council contributed $1m. The council would own the land when the project was completed.

It was expected to create up to 45 full-time equivalent jobs over four years.

Parker said the Government was making a major investment in the restoration of the lake, but growers, the council and rural and urban land users also needed to play their part in improving water quality.

Governance Group Chair for the project and Horizons Regional Council chairwoman Rachel Keedwell said the wetland would work in addition to a constructed sediment trap, the Hokio Stream fish pass, weed harvesting and alongside horticultural growers.

“Together, this combination of interventions will provide an opportunity to deliver real change for the lake, not only environmental outcomes, but community, cultural and economic-focused outcomes.

Horizons Regional Council had also established a governance group to address water quality issues in the wider area.

She said the wetland would help to reduce the amount of nitrogen, sediment and phosphorus entering the lake.

A walkway between Lake Horowhenua and Lake Waiwiri, forest restoration and creating recreational areas were also in the works.

Lake Horowhenua Trustees said the project was a significant step forward, and towards an integrated, long-term solution to water quality issues that have plagued the lake for decades.

“It is very exciting to see progress as kaitiaki of this Muaūpoko taonga.”

Forest & Bird spokesman Tom Kay said lowland lakes like Horowhenua, and their surrounding wetlands, were important habitat for fish and birds, but had become polluted across the country.

'We need to restore areas like Lake Horowhenua, but these kinds of projects are the ambulance at the bottom of the cliff for managing our freshwater problems.'

Kay said it was important the government had rules to prevent pollution and habitat loss in the first place because current freshwater rules were not good enough.

The project was a collaboration between Muaūpoko, Lake Horowhenua Trust, Ngāti Raukawa ki te Tonga, Horizons Regional Council, Horowhenua District Council, dairy farmers, horticulturalists and the wider Lake Horowhenua community.