Wanganui water rights challenged

Press, 24 September 1987, Page 39

Wanganui water rights challenged

PA Hamilton Moves are under-way to form a conservation coalition aimed at changing water right uses of the Wanganui River. The chairman of the Royal Forest and Bird Protection Society’s King Country branch, Mr Keith Chapple, said the present water uses spoiled wildlife habitats as well as disrupting tourist and recreational activities. “The Tongariro Power Development water right ought to be reviewed. The water right was granted nearly 30 years ago in times very different from today — perceptions and values have changed,” Mr Chapple said. The river is managed by a series of agreements under a minimum flow regime and an extensive water right. This allows the diversion of water from 22 sites, collecting the water of over 60 streams and rivers including the Wanganui. “The diversion of this massive amount of river water

from one catchment to another causes almost continuous changes to the natural flow and a subsequent downgrading of the ecology and wildlife habitats as well as disrupting tourism and recreational activities,” he said. With the recent formation of the Whanganui National Park, which the river flows through, such uses were no longer acceptable, Mr Chapple said. The society believes that “the river should be managed according to its status as the centrepiece of the new Whanganui National Park”, he said.