Flavell wants PCP and e-coli in penny diver waters fixed

Maori Party MP for Waiariki Te Ururoa Flavell says the groups responsible for the PCP poisoning near and e-coli in Rotorua's Puarenga Stream, where children swim, must be held accountable.

"If the tests done by Maori Television are correct, and there are concerning levels of pollution in that stream, then the Red Stag company, Rotorua District Council and Environment Bay of Plenty must do everything in their power to fix it as soon as possible," Mr Flavell said.

"The whanau from Whakarewarewa Village have approached me for help and I'll be supporting their calls, not just to heal and make the stream safe, to ensure the water quality is monitored properly and independently and research is done on alternatives so we don't see a repeat of this.

"I'm very disappointed that the authorities responsible for monitoring the stream failed to pick up what a current affairs programme did. And I'm saddened to hear that the children, who we call the penny divers, have been led to believe for so many years now that the stream was safe when in actual fact it wasn't.

"These children are the future of Tuhourangi so hopefully now they will be taken seriously.

"With the Rugby World Cup just around the corner, this is not a good look for Rotorua or Aotearoa."

Mr Flavell praised the efforts of the local whanau, led by Wally Lee of Tuhourangi, in highlighting the issue.

He said local government, the company, public health authorities and even tourism groups must work with Tuhourangi to fix the problem.

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