Marae backs carp plan

NORTHCOTE'S Awataha Marae has backed a proposal to use grass carp to control weed at Takapuna's Quarry Lake, despite some iwi opposing it.

The organisation has thrown its conditional support behind the resource consent application lodged with the Department of Conservation by North Shore City Council, New Zealand Waterways Restoration and North Shore Radio Yacht Squadron.

Awataha's 10-page cultural effects assessment report on the proposal follows the department's failure to include them in the list of iwi that were consulted over the proposal.

"We're making a stand. We're a registered claimant under the Treaty of Waitangi so how come we've been excluded in the consultation process?" asks Awataha leader and spokesman Anthony Wilson.

"We are the only marae on the North Shore, we are the local people and we've been recognised by Ngati Paoa that we are the local people. The other iwi they don't have their marae here any more."

Awataha's submission is expected to strengthen the applicant's bid to get the department's final approval.

The department's Auckland area office has recommended that the application be declined on the basis of its initial assessment and the objections raised by two of the five iwi consulted – the Ngai Tai Ki Tamaki Tribal Trust, based in Clevedon, and Ngati Whatua Nga Rima o Kaipara, based in Helensville.

Both iwi have expressed concern over the possibility of the grass carp contaminating Lake Pupuke and Waitemata Harbour.

Ngai Tai trustee Peter Karaka was also concerned that the Asian community will "invade the lake" to catch the carp, raising the possibility that the fish might spill into other water bodies.

The department says the applicants will be given a right to reply before the application is submitted for final decision.

New Zealand Waterways' Gray Jamieson says Awataha's report strengthens their case with the department.

"There is a raft of evidence proving the effectiveness of grass carp in controlling pest weeds. The concerns raised by the iwi are ridiculous, it's a joke."

Mr Jamieson says Ngai Tai's statement in relation to the Asian community was "inappropriate."

He says only around 120 grass carp will be released and they won't have any impact on Lake Pupuke, much more Waitemata Harbour since carp can't survive in salt water.

Mr Wilson says the introduction of grass carp as a short-term measure may have a positive effect on the mauri or lifeforce of the lake by giving the resource a chance to heal.

He says a major environmental issue is that these pest weeds pose a serious risk to users, with three cases of drownings over recent times.

- © Fairfax NZ News