First Phase In a Porirua Harbour Health Project Completed

Media Release
28 May 2013
For immediate release

First Phase In a Porirua Harbour Health Project Completed

An extensive report on the health of the Porirua Harbour has been released showing how the once biologically diverse waters of the Pāuatahanui Inlet and the Onepoto Arm have declined steadily since the 1960s.  The harbour has now degraded to a state where it is no longer safe to swim and its kai moana (seafood) is deemed to be inedible. 

The report, prepared by NIWA and funded by the Greater Wellington Regional Council, is the first stage in a comprehensive, three phase study being undertaken by Ngati Toa to establish a cultural and technical baseline for ongoing monitoring of the harbour.

“The study contributes to the objectives of the Porirua Harbour and Catchment Strategy and Action Plan to restore the ecological health of the harbour,” says Councillor Barbara Donaldson, Chair of Greater Wellington’s Environment Wellbeing Committee.

By working together, Iwi and NIWA scientists have been able to collect both scientific and historical information to help build a picture of what the harbour used to be like and how activities have impacted on it over time.

“To care for the harbour effectively we need first to fully understand what we have done to it over the years and to truly appreciate what we have lost,” says Ngati Toa spokesperson Jennie Smeaton.

“We have all heard the stories and now we have backed these up with historical and scientific information. In this way we hope to be able to work to restore what we once had and leave behind the lessons we have learned along the way. 

“Now we have established some key indicators that will help us measure our progress and a vision of what we want for the harbour we can begin to go “forward to the past” and to put things right for future generations.”

Ngāti Toa have occupied the harbour from 1890 and recollections of abundance of pipi or cockle, bubus and green-lipped mussels and oysters, grey mullet, flounder, kahawai, conger eel, snapper, rig, school shark, and yelloweyed mullet were recorded.

The Onepoto Arm was the main food basket, and shellfish gathering and fishing activities
were localised and within walking distance of the marae ferry landing and Aotea. The harbour was also important as a playground and had spiritual significance. Some of the 13 kaumatua interviewed for the study were baptised in the harbour and they recall that baptisms regularly occurred there.

From the mid-1950s, significant changes began: the reclamation of tidal flats, the straightening of the Kenepuru Stream, increasing pollution and sedimentation, and increasing housing development and population growth impacted on the Onepoto Arm. The harbour’s health decreased significantly, access to kai moana diminished, and the abundance of fish and shellfish declined.

By the mid-1960s most of the shellfish gathering and fishing had ceased altogether due to pollution.

“Through this study and with the help of a highly regarded scientific institution, Ngati Toa has confirmed our belief about the harbour and established how best we can work alongside NIWA and other stakeholders to restore it back to a place to play and collect kai moana,” Ms Smeaton says.

Stage two of the study is now underway. This stage will record the many species that currently live in the harbour or visit on a seasonal basis. An initial report is due at the end of the year.

ENDS

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