275 Times October 2017

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Restoring Oruarangi awa an ‘urgent priority’ Environmental science advisor Dr Michelle Mills studied the state of the Oruarangi awa (river) in Māngere for her PhD, and has been dedicated to the ongoing restoration and protection of the awa for some 15 years. Dr Mills supports Betty King’s opposition to the Fletcher’s stormwater drain. (See story on page 1.) She says the drain “would be detrimental to the life of the awa, which is already struggling to cope with a changing system due to ongoing catchment pressures; and it will contribute adversely to the stability of the riverbanks, particularly around the urupa (cemetery).” She told 275 Times that her major concerns were: the current threat to the system’s water quality – based on increasing pressures of stormwater runoff being directed into the awa, due to the unprecedented industrial development in the catchment; the exacerbation of this threat if Fletcher’s housing development goes ahead; and the potential impact of directly discharging into the awa. ‘Total disbelief’ “My main discussion point is my total disbelief that Auckland Council still allows direct discharge of stormwater into an awa – under the theory that because this system is tidally influenced that any contaminants will be diluted,” Dr Mills said. “This is archaic in a time of environmental conscientiousness and is in direct contradiction to their own statement that ‘The council’s preferred approach is to minimise any impact upon the receiving environment’.” (Auckland Council Storm Water System Design Approach). Huge 2m-diameter stormwater pipes that Fletcher Residential Ltd plans to install at the Oruarangi awa. Right: The Oruarangi estuary in the 1890s (Photo: Māngere Historical Society Collection) Dr Mills expressed concern about “the extent of erosion around the banks of the urupa at the confluence of Oruarangi Creek and Waitomokia Creek, especially in terms of the extent of ongoing erosion since the awa’s re-opening to tidal influence.” After a visit to the Oruarangi awa in July, Principal Coastal Specialist Dr Jarrod Walker submitted his assessment to Auckland Council and Watercare. In his view “the erosion will continue, as the river will find its natural path.” Dr Mills has expressed concern that given Dr Walker’s assessment, there could be significant impacts on koiwi (human remains) within the urupa, and how halting the extent of erosion was an urgent priority. Dr Mills has recommended that a coastal study “be undertaken – similar to Dr Walker’s, but more robust in terms of erosion modelling – that would allow for the design of an appropriate coastal revetment wall that would provide ongoing protection to the urupa.” Dr Mills also highlighted “the Makaurau Marae Deed and MOU with Watercare dated early 2000s, and how the issue of erosion around the urupa banks was included in both of these documents some 15 years ago and how it is a matter of urgency that the promises made within those documents are met in the form of the revetment wall being installed as a matter of urgent priority.” Council requirements for SHA62, which stipulate that stormwater management FIGHT TO SAVE LOCAL RIVER >> continued from page 1 riverbanks,” she said. “The impact on the river and the urupa will be devastating” - with a greatly increased deluge escalating the erosion and clogging up the river with extra silt. After a recent hui on the problem, Betty has started a campaign to halt the planned stormwater drain that poses a serious threat to the river, the urupa and the village. She has circulated information to her neighbours in the village, and hopes to spark a discussion to challenge the threat at the next marae meeting in October. 2 Local iwi, who have been sustained by the river for centuries, have a saying: “Ko au te awa, ko te awa ko au” – I am the river and the river is me”. But the awa is still recovering from the terrible effect of a spill of 1,000 litres of toxic methyl violet dye from the nearby Jenners Freight warehouse, that killed all life in the river in 2013. The awa had previously supported a healthy and abundant fish and eel population, which had returned after the Māngere sewage ponds were removed from the area in 2005. Betty also fears that Fletcher’s stormwater drain will add an increased mix of deadly pollutants to the already degraded river. Concentrations of key stormwater contaminants (copper, lead and zinc) are already very high. Recently a big wastewater pumping station has been installed by Pump & Valve Specialists Ltd (“our biggest yet” they boast) to pump wastewater from the adjacent commercial buildings and Fletcher’s proposed development at Ihumātao. This facility will pump huge volumes of wastewater and sewage in pipes across the awa to the Māngere Wastewater treatment plant. In the event of a breakdown there is only eight hours’ storage capacity before sewage will overflow into the awa.
should be designed “to reduce existing flood effects on the Papakainga area”, and “prevent adverse erosion and sedimentation effects” on the awa, also seem destined to be overlooked if the stormwater pipe goes ahead. Swimmable rivers During the recent elections, all major parties stressed the need for ‘swimmable rivers.’ Environment Minister Nick Smith declared that freshwater management would be “one of the most challenging issues of the next decade”. Well, here’s a chance for government to do something about this ‘challenging issue’ here in Māngere – stop the pending devastation of the Oruarangi River, as well as the desecration of nearby heritage land, by ordering an immediate halt to Fletcher’s proposed construction of 480 houses at Ihumātao. STOP PRESS! Time to make a stand to protect Ihumātao Press statement from SOUL (Save Our Unique Landscape) “As expected, Heritage NZ announced on 27 Sept that is has given Fletcher Residential Ltd an Archaeological Authority to ‘modify and destroy archaeological and historical sites’ on the SHA62 development at Ihumātao, Māngere. “SOUL will appeal this decision in the Environment Court. “Heritage NZ has now removed the last legal obstacle to this huge housing development on heritage land. While this is grossly irresponsible and negligent on the part of Heritage NZ, it is clear from their track record that they have never refused an application from a developer since they commenced operation in 2014. “Though Fletcher cannot start work on the site during the 3-week appeal period, we know we must now prepare to make a stand on the land to resist their plans. “Please watch for updates and calls to action as we move to this next stage of our campaign to #ProtectIhumatao! “To support the SOUL campaign visit www.soulstopsha.org or Facebook: @protectihumatao, or email: saveihumatao@gmail.com” Above: First XIII rugby league coach Rod Ratu with team members Sam Nati (Captain), William Fakatoumafi and Nitoa Kairau, who were named in the NZ Secondary Schools’ team. Southern Cross Winners By Julie Wharton Southern Cross Campus – College Sport Co-ordinator Southern Cross’ first XIII rugby league team has won the NZ Secondary School Nationals’ title for the second year in a row. After beating St Pauls 22–16 in the semi final, they played Kelston in the final, winning 44–0. The team were unrelenting in their defence and attacked with vigour and purpose until the very end of the game. The first XIII is coached by Rod Ratu, assisted by Mamoe Lemafa, and managed by Malo Mulipola. Three students were named in the tournament team: Nitoa Kairau, William Fakatoumafi and Samuel Nati (captain). Girls claim rugby title The girls’ rugby team has also done very well, winning the Auckland Secondary Schools’ title again. This team is also coached by Rod Ratu and Parusi Lemalu. The girls represented the Blues region at the Top 4 Nationals in Palmerston North. Twelve girls from the Southern Cross team have been included in the Auckland South/East representative team. Below: Southern Cross Girls’ first XV rugby team - winners of the Auckland Secondary Schools’ competition. 3
Page 1: EDITION #35 OCTOBER 2017 275 Mānge
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275 Times October 2017

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