Hapu Gets Dumped On

“Ngati Torehina a hapu north of Dargaville have been literally dumped on by a neighbouring farmer while authorities do little to assist.” claims Labour's Te Tai Tokerau Candidate Kelvin Davis.

“The farmer right across the road from the Taita Marae has been washing the effluent off the road where his herd crosses from cowshed to paddocks, into a drain adjacent to their marae for the past year.”

“I visited two weeks ago to gauge the extent of the problem at the Marae. Cow effluent two feet deep was stagnating in the drains along the marae frontage. The smell and flies were overwhelming.” Davis said.

“If this had been a public facility such as a community hall, school or church, the issue would have been dealt with immediately. Because it's a marae, nothing happens. That's unacceptable.

This problem has been in the hands of the Kaipara District Council and Northland Regional Council for over a year. Work was expected to begin on a road underpass from the cowshed to the paddocks in August. The hapu are still waiting.”

“Ngati Torehina are embarressed to host hui because of the smell drifting across their marae. Their dignity has been trampled on while agencies do nothing.” says Davis.

The short term solution is for the farmer to at least clean the drain in front of the marae, until the underpass can be completed.

It is paramount the hapu are included in any decision making and that the farmer is issued an ultimatum to get the necessary work done.”

ENDS

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