Roddy Hapati Pihema stands at the dumping site in the Far North. Photo: Yolisa Tswanya
Residents of a remote Far North community say their water is at risk of contamination due to the illegal dumping of thousands of animal carcasses.
The long-standing issue has been raised with Bay of Islands-Whangaroa community board member Roddy Hapati Pihema.
Pihema said residents told him the dumping had taken place at Ruapekapeka Rd near Towai for the past 15 years.
He said when he went to the site, he couldn't believe his eyes.
"Unfortunately when it rains, all of the bacteria ends up into the local stream and unfortunately for our families in Waiomio, they don't have any mainline infrastructure and so they're dependent on the Waiomio stream for their water.
"I was actually taken to the site by the resident and he explained to me what was going on and I couldn't get over just how many carcasses were there.
"There was just thousands of them."
Bay of Islands-Whangaroa community board member Roddy Hapati Pihema has been trying to clean the issue up himself. Photo: RNZ/Peter de Graaf
He said the water was not safe to drink, due to traces of E-coli and other bacteria when tested by residents, but many had no other option.
The remote community was dependent on natural resources and it was expensive to truck water in, Pihema said.
He said he'd started clearing up the stream himself.
"I get out there as much as I can and create a resolution out of pretty much nothing.
"It's just a real sad space at this moment that we have people who are dependent on a resource, and we can't even protect that resource and ensure that their well-being is taken care of."
Pihema said the stream was also of cultural significance to mana whenua and Aotearoa, because it was where Ngāti Hine iwi originated.
Thousands of animal carcasses have been dumped in a rural part of Northland and it is contaminating a local waterway. Photo: Roddy Hapati Pihema
Northland Regional Council rules for disposing of dead animals stated they must be buried at least 50 metres from any water-course, water supply, bore or home.
Burial sites must also be covered to prevent smells and access by vermin.
If those rules could not be met, resource consent was required.
Colin Dall, Group Manager of Regulatory Services, said in the past year there had been 11 reports of animal carcass dumping received and responded to.
However, he said none had been for the Ruapekapeka area and the council would contact Pihema for details.
Dall also said individuals using their own systems for water supply, such as rainwater, a groundwater bore, a river or stream, were responsible for the safety of their water supply and should not assume it can be used without pre-treatment.
