Rally opposes Water Conservation Order

A mass rally at Farndon Park, Clive, last week displayed a show of force against a Water Conservation Order application.

With tractors and placards, a large group of Hawke's Bay people marched in protest against a proposed Water Conservation Order last week.

Hundreds converged at Farndon Park, located near the two rivers at the centre of the controversial Water Conservation Order (WCO) application.

"Hawke's Bay for Hawke's Bay" has been the catchcry of vocal WCO opponents, and was the message sent by those who travelled in tractors from Hastings, trucks from Napier, or on foot from Awatoto.

Four of the six WCO applicants are national bodies and two are local. The application would restrict water taken from the Ngaruroro River and 7km of the Clive River, to protect and preserve its "outstanding values".

Protesters shared concern over the impact these restrictions would have on the regional economy and employment.

There is also angst from the protesters that the WCO "rides roughshod" over the community-led water management process TANK.

"We feel we are actually hamstrung by the WCO application," organiser and grower Jerf Van Beek told the crowd.

Placards reading "Let the TANK roll on", and "our rivers, our decision" were hoisted as speakers discussed the impact of the WCO - from a young orchard worker worried about her career, Ngati Kahungunu Iwi Inc chairman Ngahiwi Tomoana and political candidates.

"This application, if accepted in its current form, will decimate primary production in Hawke's Bay. It has proposed prohibitions and restrictions that will severely restrict the ability of all water users to continue to function as they do today," said Bruce McKay of Heinz Watties.

He compared the change to the restrictions to "dropping the speed limit on the open road from 100km/h to 3km/h".

"Actual extraction is less than the consented volume, but it's easy to see there's nothing left for growers or industry once the supplies for people and basic infrastructure are deducted.

"Without those crops, or fruit, or grapes, there is no industry. Hastings will no longer be the fruit bowl of New Zealand, but the dustbowl of New Zealand, while all the water that currently makes us prosper flows out to sea."

The horticulture sector had a big presence at the rally, mingled with farmers, winegrowers and urban residents. This united front was mentioned by Federated Farmers provincial president Will Foley.

This application, if accepted in its current form, will decimate primary production in Hawke's Bay. It has proposed prohibitions and restrictions that will severely restrict the ability of all water users to continue to function as they do today.

Bruce McKay, Heinz Watties.

"There's been too much division for too long now. One of the benefits I see out of this is unity."

"Technology, innovation, and the Kiwi number eight wire attitude, with locals in charge of local matters, is how we need to move forward. Let's stop wasting time and money on special hearings, court cases, and lawyers, and get our Hawke's Bay community back around the table, working out what's best for Hawke's Bay".

Fears about the WCO's urban impact were expressed by regional council chair Rex Graham, Hastings mayor Sandra Hazelhurst, and Napier mayor Bill Dalton.

Mr Dalton said his community would stand with Hastings.

While his primary sector knowledge might be lacking, "what I do know is that every so often Wellington rises up on its hind legs, and tries to impose an unreasonable condition on Hawke's Bay, when those decisions are much better made by the people of Hawke's Bay".

"We need to tell them to go and get stuffed. We need to tell the people in Wellington that Hawke's Bay people are quite willing and able to make the right decisions for Hawke's Bay people."

Mr Graham defended TANK's progress, saying such processes were slow because they had to involve input from the entire community. This needed to be defended, so communities could make decisions about their own area.

"[The applicants] have bought a fight, and they're going to get it from this community."
Parked at the protest were nearly 400 tractors which made the journey from Hawke's Bay Showgrounds.

Bostock orchard hand Robert Hunter said he felt the applicants needed to realise how things worked in Hawke's Bay.

"And how people rely on it, because if they don't get the water then there's no work, no apples, nothing."

The majority of those gathered last week opposed the WCO, but many in Hawke's Bay support it, or support it with changes. This is shown in the nearly 400 submissions received on the application, with almost the same amount supporting the WCO as opposing it.

Those in support believe the WCO will preserve the rivers, and their wildlife, and ensure the rivers can be used for recreation. Others say it would protect the waterways as a taonga.

A number of horticulture industries oppose the WCO on the lower reaches of the Ngaruroro, but support it on the upper part.