Scoop has an Ethical Paywall
Work smarter with a Pro licence Learn More

Local Govt | National News Video | Parliament Headlines | Politics Headlines | Search

 

Lake Tūtira algal bloom

Lake Tūtira algal bloom

Hawke’s Bay Regional Council staff advise the public to avoid contact with Lake Tūtira.

The Council sampled Lake Tūtira today, as part of regular monthly monitoring.

Freshwater scientist Dr Andy Hicks believes the current algal bloom is particularly nasty and conditions are not expected to improve anytime soon.

“The lake should start to ‘turn over’ or mix again in June as surface waters cool off and become the same density as the bottom waters,” says Dr Hicks.

“This will make conditions less favourable for blue-green algae and so the bloom will hopefully subside. The current bloom is potentially toxic, so contact with the water should be avoided,” he adds.

The Council proposes to increase funding next year (currently being consulted on as part of the Annual Plan 2017-18) to help clean up Lake Tūtira.

The lake requires a strategic catchment management plan to reduce nutrient and sediment inputs as much as practicable.

For the short term, the Council, Maungaharuru-Tangitū Trust (MTT) and the Department of Conservation are exploring an aeration system in Lake Waikōpiro, which could then be scaled up to Tūtira, if successful.

“We are looking at cost-effective, short-term solutions with a high chance of success,” says Te Kaha Hawaikirangi, Project Coordinator at MTT for Tūtira Mai Nga Iwi.

“NIWA are facilitating workshops with our Hapū and we’re looking at a range of options to urgently improve the condition of the lake,” adds Mr Hawaikirangi.

Reducing runoff from the land will take some time to achieve, and will continue to be a major focus while the aeration approach is trialled.

The Council has also applied for significant funding through the national Freshwater Improvement Fund, which would help clean up Tūtira even faster. An indication of whether the national funding bid is successful should be known by July.

Advertisement - scroll to continue reading

Are you getting our free newsletter?

Subscribe to Scoop’s 'The Catch Up' our free weekly newsletter sent to your inbox every Monday with stories from across our network.

© Scoop Media

Advertisement - scroll to continue reading
 
 
 
Parliament Headlines | Politics Headlines | Regional Headlines



Gordon Campbell: On Dune 2, And Images Of Islam


Depictions of Islam in Western popular culture have rarely been positive, even before 9/11. Five years on from the mosque shootings, this is one of the cultural headwinds that the Muslim community has to battle against. Whatever messages of tolerance and inclusion are offered in daylight, much of our culture tends to be hostile to Islam when we’re sitting in the dark, with popcorn.
Any number of movie examples come to mind, beginning with Rudolf Valentino’s role (over a century ago) as the romantic Arab hero in The Sheik...
More


 
 


Government: One-stop Shop Major Projects On The Fast Track

The Coalition Government’s new one-stop-shop fast track consenting regime for regional and national projects of significance will cut red tape and make it easier for New Zealand to build the infrastructure and major projects needed to get the country moving again... More

ALSO:


Government: GPS 2024: Over $20 Billion To Get Transport Back On Track
Transport Minister Simeon Brown has released the draft Government Policy Statement (GPS) on Land Transport, outlining the Coalition Government’s plan to build and maintain a transport system that enables people to get to where they need to go quickly and safely... More

ALSO:

Government: Humanitarian Support For Gaza & West Bank

Winston Peters has announced NZ is providing a further $5M to respond to the extreme humanitarian need in Gaza and the West Bank. “The impact of the Israel-Hamas conflict on civilians is absolutely appalling," he said... More


Government: New High Court Judge Appointed

Judith Collins has announced the appointment of Wellington Barrister Jason Scott McHerron as a High Court Judge. Justice McHerron graduated from the University of Otago with a BA in English Literature in 1994 and an LLB in 1996... More

 
 
 
 
 
 

LATEST HEADLINES

  • PARLIAMENT
  • POLITICS
  • REGIONAL
 
 

InfoPages News Channels


 
 
 
 

Join Our Free Newsletter

Subscribe to Scoop’s 'The Catch Up' our free weekly newsletter sent to your inbox every Monday with stories from across our network.