Mahanga wetland needs your support

Hawke’s Bay Regional Council’s regulation team has recently responded to a number of noncompliant activities related to the protection of Mahanga wetland, and is calling on the local community to help.

The Regional Council’s Policy and Regulation Manager Katrina Brunton is clear that any actions that damage the natural environment are not okay.

“Mahanga wetland is an important and fragile ecosystem. We have taken enforcement action against individuals in Mahanga and we will continue to enforce the rules when and where necessary,” says Ms Brunton.

“We are well aware of the Mahanga community’s concerns about the flooding of property from the wetland and we are working with Wairoa District Council and the Department of Conservation locally to try to resolve this. Residents should not take matters into their own hands.

“If locals have any concerns or want to report something they can get in touch with our 24/7 Pollution Hotline on 0800 108 838,” she adds.

Wetland sites have been decimated nationally, with only 2% of original wetlands now remaining in Hawke’s Bay. The Regional Council has a growing ecosystem restoration programme and is working to improve the region’s biodiversity.

The Regional Council takes a zero-tolerance approach to regulation breaches.

29 July 2021

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