'Black Drain' threat to food and exports

The Tasman mill's treatment ponds that flow into the river were described as the Black Drain when this photo was taken in 1997. Photo / NZ Herald

The polluting of the Tarawera River by the largest paper mill in the country has deprived neighbours of its food sources and is threatening the local agriculture industry, say opponents of the mill's resource consent.

Tasman Pulp and Paper Mill in Kawerau is applying to extend its permit to discharge effluent into the river for the next 35 years.

Owners Carter Holt Harvey and Norske Skog want to renew their resource consent to allow them to empty more than 150 million litres of used water a day into the river, as well as gas and dust emissions.

Some opponents, such as eastern Bay of Plenty tribe Ngati Awa, say the mill - dubbed the Black Drain by environmentalists - has damaged the river for 50 years and needs to be shut.

But most submissions called for a shorter resource consent, with strict regulation of the mill's emissions.

The Green Party called for a 10-year permit with improved water treatment and waste control to ensure the river returned to a cleaner state.

The companies say they have cleaned up discharges as far as the available technology has allowed them.

But Green Party spokesman Gordon Jackman said: "They have been saying that since the 1970s. The pace of technology is increasing exponentially overseas."

Organic kiwifruit grower Harry Lagocki said food exporters depended on a high standard of water quality to sell goods to overseas markets. Mr Lagocki, who owns an orchard in Te Teko, said permitting the river to be contaminated threatened New Zealand's world-class reputation for high-quality produce.

"I have to convince buyers that my water is clean, or my fruit is rejected. This is not just tree-huggers who will be affected here, it is serious businesses with a lot to lose."

Another Bay of Plenty iwi, Ngati Rangitihi, will present its submission tomorrow. They are calling for a shorter consent and a genuine commitment to reduce damage to the river.

Leader Tipene Marr said the companies reduced their waste only when the Resource Management Act in 1991 forced them to.

"We do not want to shut the mill down. Their waste is now 31 tonnes of 'colour', or solid waste, a day. We are asking that they take three tonnes off each year for the next 10 years. Even if they've taken five off we will be happy."

He said it was an uphill battle opposing the consent, because the mill provided 300 jobs.

The iwi are also making a $49 million Waitangi Tribunal compensation claim for lost food resources as a result of mill pollution.

The amount was based on the estimate that 50 families could collect $20 of food - fish, watercress, and birds - three times a day for 50 years.

"People say to us ,'How did you let your river become a black drain?' We are a laughing stock," said Mr Marr.

Hearings before the independent commissioner continue until Friday, when the companies will have their right of reply.