Key Takeaways
- Auckland oyster farmers are dealing with the effects of another wastewater overflow into the Mahurangi River, which has impacted their Christmas season
- The Ministry of Primary Industries has instructed growers to suspend harvesting while testing is carried out, with results expected this week
- Farmers are unlikely to be able to harvest until after Christmas, with many relying on the Christmas-New Year period to get them through the quiet months
- Watercare has confirmed that an estimated 86 cubic metres of wastewater mixed with stormwater overflowed into the river from a Warkworth pipeline
- Farmers are calling for more financial assistance to get them through until upgrades are completed, with the current compensation not being enough to keep them surviving
Introduction to the Crisis
The recent wastewater spill into the Mahurangi River has dealt a significant blow to Auckland oyster farmers, who are now facing a difficult Christmas season. The spill, which occurred on 19 November, was caused by heavy rainfall in Warkworth, with over 53mm of rain falling overnight. This led to an estimated 86 cubic metres of wastewater mixed with stormwater overflowing into the river from a pipeline on Elizabeth Street. The Ministry of Primary Industries has instructed growers to suspend harvesting while testing is carried out, with results expected this week. However, for many farmers, the damage has already been done, with their busiest period of the year now being severely impacted.
The Impact on Oyster Farmers
The effects of the spill are being felt deeply by oyster farmers, who rely heavily on the Christmas-New Year period to get them through the quiet months. Tom Walters, from Matakana Oysters, said that the spill had already ruined their plans for December, with many orders cancelled and customers looking elsewhere for their oysters. "It’s been pretty difficult the whole year, but this is our peak time. We’ve missed Christmas parties now and celebrations, we’ve got people who wanted to order for Christmas itself, and now we’re not even getting any orders from people because they know about the sewage situation. So they’ll be going elsewhere." Walters also expressed concern about the financial implications of the spill, with the compensation received for the previous spill not being enough to keep them surviving.
The Response from Watercare
Watercare has acknowledged the impact of the spill on oyster farmers and has confirmed that upgrades are planned to prevent more wet weather overflows from occurring. However, these upgrades will not be completed until the end of 2026. In a statement, Watercare chief operations officer Mark Bourne said that the company had accelerated the first stage of the growth-servicing pipeline, bringing it forward by two years to have it in service by the end of next year. This comes at an additional cost of $2.5m. However, farmers are calling for more financial assistance to get them through until the upgrades are completed. Lynette Dunn, president of the Mahurangi Oyster Farmers Association, said that the current compensation was not enough to keep them surviving, and that they needed funding to keep them going until the upgrades were done.
The Long-Term Effects
The long-term effects of the spill are also a major concern for oyster farmers. Dunn said that even when the infrastructure improved, it would take a lot of work to re-build public trust. "We need funding to keep us going. Our reputational damage is just going down the drain. Everyone associates Mahurangi Oysters with sewage. So, to try and sell our product, we’re going to have a huge battle." Walters also expressed concern about the impact of the spill on the reputation of Mahurangi Oysters, saying that it would take a long time to recover from the damage that had been done. The spill has highlighted the need for more robust infrastructure to prevent such incidents from occurring in the future, and for more support to be given to farmers who are affected by such events.
The Road to Recovery
The road to recovery for oyster farmers will be long and difficult. With the Christmas season already impacted, many farmers are facing a difficult few months ahead. However, with the support of the community and the government, it is possible for them to recover from this setback. Watercare’s decision to accelerate the first stage of the growth-servicing pipeline is a positive step, but more needs to be done to support farmers in the short term. The government and relevant authorities must work together to provide more financial assistance to farmers, as well as to implement measures to prevent such incidents from occurring in the future. Only through a collective effort can the oyster farming industry in Auckland recover from this crisis and thrive once again.