Viewpoint – Advocating for oyster farmers

New Zealand First is a strong advocate for the aquaculture industry. It provides economic growth, local jobs and amazing seafood, and it has been a real focus for me to support our Mahurangi oyster farmers.

Last year, the farmers were unable to harvest for 155 days of the season due to ongoing contamination from sewage spills. Mahurangi is home to a significant local oyster industry estimated to be worth $10 million annually.

Watercare has paid an additional $750,000 to the Mahurangi oyster farmers after last year’s Lucy Moore pump station failure, which spewed 600 cubic meters of wastewater into the Mahurangi river. The total compensation payment to the farmers is $2.75m.

My colleague, Minister Shane Jones, and I have been engaging with Watercare regularly to advocate for our farmers and note some of the farmers are disappointed with the final payment that was announced last week.

This payment, while appreciated for contributing toward the financial impact of the October sewage spill event, still leaves questions about possible errors in the loss assessment carried out. Unfortunately, it was never going to address the years of disruption to their businesses with the repeated weather-related spills into the Mahurangi river.

The reputational damage to the Mahurangi brand is difficult to quantify and it may take some time for the fullness of this effect to be known. We cannot let the Mahurangi name be trashed!

Late last year I contacted the Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment Simon Upton regarding impacts of wastewater (sewage) overflows on the ecological values of the Mahurangi Harbour and the impact on the marine operations.

Mr Upton has released his report making specific recommendations to Auckland Council, Watercare and MPI. He states that “there may be lessons that can be learned and applied that will avoid a repeat of what has been experienced in the Mahurangi catchment”.

With the new oyster harvesting season just weeks away I would like to acknowledge the very tough few years our local oyster farmers have had to endure and encourage everyone to continue supporting them heartily as their beautiful oysters come to market.

New Zealand First will continue to champion these farmers and their contribution to our regional economy.