Latest news with #TaranakiRegionalCouncil
Scoop
05-05-2025
- Politics
- Scoop
Free Talk Brings Minor Accord On Taranaki Water Pollution
Article – Craig Ashworth – Local Democracy Reporting Relaxing the rules to allow free-flowing discussion has brought rare agreement on Taranaki Regional Councils biggest headache dairy farm effluent polluting streams and rivers. Pouring treated cow pooh into freshwater is already outlawed … Relaxing the rules to allow free-flowing discussion has brought rare agreement on Taranaki Regional Council's biggest headache – dairy farm effluent polluting streams and rivers. Pouring treated cow pooh into freshwater is already outlawed in other key dairying regions – Waikato, Manawatu, Southland and Otago. Canterbury allows it but has zero active consents. In Taranaki 277 farms still have consent to discharge effluent to waterways. That's a fifth of Taranaki's dairy farms, and they're scattered across the entire region. The local herd stands at 450,000 suggesting effluent from some 90,000 cows can flow into streams and rivers after milking – although half those farms also have permission to discharge to land. The council's powerful Policy and Planning Committee is deciding how quickly farmers must stop polluting freshwater when their resource consents expire. Farmer-lobby committee members mostly want a grace period for those facing looming expiry of consents, or where geographical or financial challenges make land discharge difficult. Māori members want an immediately halt to tūtae flowing into awa and downstream to the moana, once consents expire. The committee suspended standing orders at its meeting last week so people could speak more than once. Rather than trying to win each debate with their sole speech, committee members instead had a more free-flowing discussion that led to unanimous consensus. All agreed to pause the pollution decision so staff could bring more facts on problem farms to the next meeting in six weeks. They hope the extra information will help the committee's regional councillors, district councillor appointees, waka representatives, and Federated Farmers local president to agree on final deadlines. New committee chair Bonita Bigham said free and frank discussion saw strongly-held views clearly articulated. 'To put those views on the table while also considering the perspectives of others, and not having to retrench back to a firm position to vote, I think is a really healthy way forward.' Kurahaupō waka representative Tuhi-Ao Bailey pointed out farmers use public waterways for private business benefit. She said Te Mana o te Wai priorities require that commercial needs come third – after the needs of the environment and of communities. 'Mana whenua are sick and tired of waiting for this to end. We've been debating this for years, decades.' For Aotea waka, Peter Moeahu said the focus was environmental improvement, not the business interests of a minority of farmers who'd chosen to take as long as possible to change. 'The more we delay, the more we defer, the more we take our eye off the environmental ball – then we are not doing justice to our communities as a whole.' Tokomaru's Mitchell Ritai completed the unanimous Māori stand against extending consents, congratulating the 80 percent of famers whose work set a benchmark for laggards. Farmer-lobby councillors differed on how long and lenient any consent extensions ought to be. Councillor Donna Cram wanted to wait for Massey University research findings on whether slightly steeper slopes can cope with cowshed waste, potentially meaning more land is available for discharge. For example, high on the ring plain around Taranaki Maunga massive rainfall soaks the ground then drains into multiple fast-running streams, leaving paddocks often unable to absorb waste. 'We should give farmers a chance to get this research because it could save them considerable money,' she said. 'We're talking five or six hundred thousand dollars for some of these systems – it's not chicken feed.' Poultry shed and piggery systems also discharge to Taranaki waterways, but they're a tiny minority compared to the hundreds of dairy farms. Veteran councillor Donald McIntyre was fed up with fellow farmers dragging their heels and said consents shouldn't be extended. 'They should just phase-out now as they come to the end of their [consents],' he said. 'They have had plenty of warning.' Staff warned that a strict pollution deadline would expose a council unable to handle the surge of consent applications. The rush might also inflate the market for building costly discharge-to-land systems, they advised. Bigham is also TRC's first elected Māori constituency councillor. She chaired what she afterwards described as a more natural debate, with similar benefits to the fluidity of wānanga discussion. 'The statements of position, the discussion around why, the opportunity for added information; the opportunity for reassessment of those positions – or clarification of how further work may enable us to make better decisions.' 'That all came up, that was all free-flowing, all open.' 'It left me really heartened that people were able to see the benefits of having a discussion like that and move forward collectively, even if at the end of the day they may still hold the same positions.'
Scoop
05-05-2025
- Politics
- Scoop
Free Talk Brings Minor Accord On Taranaki Water Pollution
Relaxing the rules to allow free-flowing discussion has brought rare agreement on Taranaki Regional Council's biggest headache – dairy farm effluent polluting streams and rivers. Pouring treated cow pooh into freshwater is already outlawed in other key dairying regions – Waikato, Manawatu, Southland and Otago. Canterbury allows it but has zero active consents. In Taranaki 277 farms still have consent to discharge effluent to waterways. That's a fifth of Taranaki's dairy farms, and they're scattered across the entire region. The local herd stands at 450,000 suggesting effluent from some 90,000 cows can flow into streams and rivers after milking – although half those farms also have permission to discharge to land. The council's powerful Policy and Planning Committee is deciding how quickly farmers must stop polluting freshwater when their resource consents expire. Farmer-lobby committee members mostly want a grace period for those facing looming expiry of consents, or where geographical or financial challenges make land discharge difficult. Māori members want an immediately halt to tūtae flowing into awa and downstream to the moana, once consents expire. The committee suspended standing orders at its meeting last week so people could speak more than once. Rather than trying to win each debate with their sole speech, committee members instead had a more free-flowing discussion that led to unanimous consensus. All agreed to pause the pollution decision so staff could bring more facts on problem farms to the next meeting in six weeks. They hope the extra information will help the committee's regional councillors, district councillor appointees, waka representatives, and Federated Farmers local president to agree on final deadlines. New committee chair Bonita Bigham said free and frank discussion saw strongly-held views clearly articulated. 'To put those views on the table while also considering the perspectives of others, and not having to retrench back to a firm position to vote, I think is a really healthy way forward.' Kurahaupō waka representative Tuhi-Ao Bailey pointed out farmers use public waterways for private business benefit. She said Te Mana o te Wai priorities require that commercial needs come third – after the needs of the environment and of communities. 'Mana whenua are sick and tired of waiting for this to end. We've been debating this for years, decades.' For Aotea waka, Peter Moeahu said the focus was environmental improvement, not the business interests of a minority of farmers who'd chosen to take as long as possible to change. 'The more we delay, the more we defer, the more we take our eye off the environmental ball – then we are not doing justice to our communities as a whole.' Tokomaru's Mitchell Ritai completed the unanimous Māori stand against extending consents, congratulating the 80 percent of famers whose work set a benchmark for laggards. Farmer-lobby councillors differed on how long and lenient any consent extensions ought to be. Councillor Donna Cram wanted to wait for Massey University research findings on whether slightly steeper slopes can cope with cowshed waste, potentially meaning more land is available for discharge. For example, high on the ring plain around Taranaki Maunga massive rainfall soaks the ground then drains into multiple fast-running streams, leaving paddocks often unable to absorb waste. 'We should give farmers a chance to get this research because it could save them considerable money,' she said. 'We're talking five or six hundred thousand dollars for some of these systems – it's not chicken feed.' Poultry shed and piggery systems also discharge to Taranaki waterways, but they're a tiny minority compared to the hundreds of dairy farms. Veteran councillor Donald McIntyre was fed up with fellow farmers dragging their heels and said consents shouldn't be extended. 'They should just phase-out now as they come to the end of their [consents],' he said. 'They have had plenty of warning.' Staff warned that a strict pollution deadline would expose a council unable to handle the surge of consent applications. The rush might also inflate the market for building costly discharge-to-land systems, they advised. Bigham is also TRC's first elected Māori constituency councillor. She chaired what she afterwards described as a more natural debate, with similar benefits to the fluidity of wānanga discussion. 'The statements of position, the discussion around why, the opportunity for added information; the opportunity for reassessment of those positions – or clarification of how further work may enable us to make better decisions.' 'That all came up, that was all free-flowing, all open.' 'It left me really heartened that people were able to see the benefits of having a discussion like that and move forward collectively, even if at the end of the day they may still hold the same positions.'
Scoop
30-04-2025
- Sport
- Scoop
See The Bulls Defend The Ranfurly Shield For Free At Stadium Taranaki
The Yarrows Taranaki Bulls will defend the Ranfurly Shield at the fully reopened Stadium Taranaki on 11 June – and fans can attend the match for free! Taranaki Regional Council says the game will be a perfect showcase for the public to check out the new-look venue and it will mark the official opening of the stadium after its six-year redevelopment. Free buses have been arranged to bring residents from south, coastal and central Taranaki to the match, which will see the Yarrows Taranaki Bulls take on King Country at 6pm. Council Chair Craig Williamson says the game will be a milestone occasion and he hopes to see a huge crowd enjoy what will be the first of many big nights and events at the New Plymouth venue, previously known as Yarrow Stadium. 'Our mission when we kicked-off the redevelopment in 2019 was to build the best regional stadium in the country. We've now achieved that with a fantastic facility that the people of Taranaki can be rightly proud of,' says Mr Williamson. 'This free event is a way for the Taranaki public to come along and see the venue for themselves. We're putting on buses too to help those who live further afield who want to watch the Amber & Blacks defend the Shield and see the completed stadium. 'It's certainly the biggest infrastructure project Taranaki Regional Council has ever undertaken and we're delighted to have created a multi-purpose facility capable of hosting local, regional and international sport and entertainment events and a venue that can be used by the whole community.' Taranaki Rugby Football Union Chief Executive Jimmy Fastier said Stadium Taranaki is one of the best sports venues in the country, and a brand-new East Stand will only add to that. 'Every Amber & Black Ranfurly Shield defence is significant but Taranaki Rugby's first fixture at a fully refurbished spiritual home makes for an extra special occasion on Wednesday June 11. 'We look forward to welcoming our Yarrows Taranaki Bulls fans, the local community and traveling King Country Rams supporters.' NPDC Manager Venue and Events Chade Julie says: "This event officially kicks off a new era for Stadium Taranaki, making it a destination for everything from grassroots sports to major events and concerts. 'Having the first large event being a TRFU Ranfurly Shield defence is great for our local and wider Taranaki Communities. We encourage everyone to come experience the new stadium and join us in celebrating this milestone.' Mr Williamson thanked the public for their support during the redevelopment project which was undertaken after the East and West Stand were found to be earthquake-prone in 2017 and 2018. Funding of $30m was received from the Government's Infrastructure Reference Group (IRG) fund for the renovations. 'We would like to say a huge thank you to Clelands Construction and the many contractors for their work over the last six years, the three Taranaki district councils and to the Taranaki Rugby Football Union and other users who have been eagerly awaiting the full reopening. 'This project has been all about collaboration and we're grateful for the continued support from Ngāti te Whiti whose contributions have been vital in giving the new East Stand its identify. Our relationship with Ngāti te Whiti has been strengthened by this project.' Information on buses to the 11 June game has been revealed on the Council's website and social media channels, including the Taranaki Public Transport Facebook page. Buses will be running from or stopping at Pātea, Ōpunake, Waitara, Urenui, Bell Block, Inglewood, Oākura, Ōkato, Stratford, Eltham and Hāwera. The free game tickets and bus tickets are now available here. The presale for TRFU members will run for a week starting at 10am on 1 May with the public on-sale beginning at 10am on Thursday 8 May. Stadium Taranaki: Fast facts The stadium is owned by Taranaki Regional Council via the Taranaki Stadium Trust. It is run by New Plymouth District Council. The final budget for the redevelopment of the stadium was $79.7m, with the final cost of the project expected to be under this. The total contribution by Taranaki ratepayers remains under $50m, the same amount approved in 2019 after the public consultation and engagement process. The Council secured $30m in funding from the Government's Infrastructure Reference Group Fund. The development has included earthquake-strengthening to the West Stand and the addition of a new roof on this stand. The original East Stand could not be repaired so was demolished and a new stand has been constructed. The stadium's capacity is 22,000. There is scalability to take the capacity up to the same as the old stadium for major sporting events. The project has seen the installation of new 'GrassMaster' hybrid turf on the main field which has improved recovery times to enable more playing opportunities. The old lighting has been replaced with new eco-friendly LED floodlights which have increased illumination by 50% while reducing power by 30%. A community extravaganza is also taking place on 4 May, with the public invited to a free family fun day and tours of the new East Stand. For information on that event, see here.
