A Whangarei hapu's battle to stop water being extracted form Poroti Springs is over after the company behind the plan sold its land and water take consents to the Crown for $7.5 million.
Whatitiri Maori Reserve Trust which represents Te Uriroroi, Te Parawhau and Te Mahurehure ki Whatitiri hapu, has been fighting for more than two decades to stop water being taken from Poroti Springs, about 20km west of Whangarei.
Zodiac Holdings has consent to take up to 1.5 million litres a day from the Poroti Springs, with the intention of bottling the water for sale overseas, something the hapu were worried would kill the sacred spring if allowed to happen.
Zodiac has sold its Poroti land and water take consents to the Crown to be used by the Office of Treaty Settlements to help settle any Treaty of Waitangi clams from the hapu.
Treaty Minister
Andrew Little said the Government has secured land that's been the focus of Ngapuhi concerns about the health and well-being of Poroti Springs.