Blessing starts new water supply scheme

Western Bay of Plenty deputy mayor Mike Williams and Tauranga deputy mayor Kelvin Clout planting a tree during the blessing of the Waiari Water Supply Scheme. Supplied photo.

Tangata whenua, together with Tauranga City Council and Western Bay of Plenty District Council representatives, led a blessing on the site of the Waiari Water Supply Scheme on Wednesday.

The scheme involves developing a new water abstract facility on the Waiari Stream, a water treatment plant in No.1 Road, Te Puke, and an underground water pipeline from the plant to Papamoa.

The plant will mainly service the Papamoa coastal strip and the Te Tumu growth area, and provide a backup for Western Bay of Plenty District Council's Te Puke water supply.

Tauranga City Council Deputy Mayor Kelvin Clout says it was an honour to be involved in the ceremony, which recognised tangata whenua relationships with the stream.

'The Waiari Stream is a source of spiritual significance and we're committed to recognising the inherent relationship tangata whenua have with this precious waterway,” says Kelvin.

'We must continue to recognise this relationship and ensure we're protecting the stream by monitoring its chemical and biological health, as well as planting alongside the stream to prevent erosion and re-establish shade.”

Makahae Marae chair Dean Flavell says caring for the stream for future generations is paramount to the project's success.

'The Waiari Stream is a place where tangata whenua live, source physical and spiritual sustenance, and in the past, defended themselves in times of warfare,” he says.

'This blessing is an acknowledgement of the cultural significance of the site and the importance of protecting our waterways.”

Kelvin says the Waiari Water Supply Scheme was expected to be completed in 2021.

"I want to thank all of the staff who have already made significant contributions in terms of their time, commitment and expertise to get us to this stage.

'I look forward to seeing the project come to fruition.”

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7 comments

Oh wow

Posted on 15-03-2018 15:19 | By MISS ADVENTURE

how exciting...


Another rort

Posted on 15-03-2018 15:36 | By Captain Sensible

Why do we 'need' these stoneaged 'blessings'? What a rort for easy ratepayer money.


Hocus Pocus

Posted on 15-03-2018 16:10 | By peecee09

It is time to get over this ridiculous so called spiritual and cultural Mumbo jumbo and get into the 21 st century. The vast majority of New Zealanders are totally over this nonsense.


here we go again

Posted on 15-03-2018 20:07 | By happykiwi

Grow up people, accept that Maori are and always will be an essential part of this country. Their beliefs are what sets us apart from other Western countries in the world.We should embrace these not ridicule.


Too Much

Posted on 16-03-2018 17:36 | By Told you

Everywhere you go the Maoris have to be in on the act, Im surprised they havent welcomed the Russian Ballet to Bay Court , oh dear maybe I shouldnt said that, someone will be thinking.


of course happykiwi......

Posted on 16-03-2018 18:36 | By groutby

.........to an absolute equal way as everyone (EVERYONE) else...so did we invite a group of Morris Dancers to do a similar act?..or perhaps groups of other ethnicities?..


Leave a comment

Posted on 17-03-2018 00:06 | By teamjelly

come on guysStop filling the comment section - by making accurate suggestions and using common senseThis is 2018 and a PC society if you hadn't realised


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