Gold clams have been found in the Waikato River and at Lake Taupō Aqua Park. Photo: NIWA
Waikato Regional Council is investing some of its surplus into the fight against invasive gold clams in the Waikato River.
But not all councillors thought it was a good idea.
In an 8-5 vote on Thursday, with one abstention, councillors agreed to allocate $414,000 from the prior year surplus for new plant, equipment and processes to enable the implementation of robust Check Clean Dry protocols.
Exotic freshwater clams were first found in the Bob's Landing area of the Waikato River near Lake Karāpiro in early May 2023, and were identified as Corbicula fluminea. Since then, they have been confirmed in the Waikato River from Lake Maraetai Landing to Tūākau.
In March 2024, the clams were also found at the Lake Taupō Aqua Park in a small man-made lagoon.
The highly invasive gold clam breeds rapidly and can clog infrastructure, like water treatment and hydro-electric plants, according to the Department of Conservation.
The council's investment comes as it steps up water quality monitoring for the summer and increases its presence on the water to ensure compliance with boat safety rules.
The number of boats on the river's hydrolakes, in particular, is set to swell with the promise of warm summer days over the holiday season.
In a report to the council's December meeting, councillors were told more investment was needed "to comprehensively manage the risks related to the spread of corbicula across the council's business operations".
Waikato Regional Council chief executive Chris McLay said the council wanted to do more than the bare minimum to protect waterways in the region.
"We are now clear on what we need to do, which requires investment in more equipment and gear, like waders, life jackets and steam cleaners, as well as additional space for storing, cleaning and drying these items."
However, some of the councillors felt they did not have enough information to commit the surplus to the activities. Councillor Mich'eal Downard said they did not have data to prove the clams were becoming dangerous to local ecosystems or fisheries, or contributing to the accumulation of contaminates in the river.
"If I had that data over the last 16 months, to say 'hey, it is becoming more dangerous and needs to be addressed with more funding', then I would tick this and say that, but this whole thing has kind of come at us," he said.
Downard called for a division vote.
Councillors Pamela Storey, Bruce Clarkson, Kataraina Hodge, Stuart Kneebone, Tipa Mahuta, Jennifer Nickel, Noel Smith, and Angela Strange supported the funding.
Robert Cookson, Mich'eal Downard, Clyde Graf, Chris Hughes and Warren Maher opposed it, while Ben Dunbar-Smith abstained.
The council said when it met again in February, it would consider a further $170,000 for inclusion in the draft 2025/26 Annual Plan to fund operational support activities. That would include education and training for staff and contractors, and more frequent auditing to lift Check Clean Dry standards and maintain compliance.
People can still use the Waikato River for recreation, including boating and fishing, or gathering of kai (food) if they follow the requirements of the controlled area notices before moving their equipment or craft.
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