Attacking cause beats fixing the effects

As I flew into Whanganui last week, I was reminded of the continuous impact of soil erosion on the Whanganui River. The cumulative effect of the brown, soil-filled water floating and dispersing into the ocean, along the way settling on the river floor, trapped often at the narrowing of the rivermouth.

I saw a direct sign of this as we travelled the Whanganui River Rd towards Tawata last month to the memorial of Sir Archie Taiaroa. A glance towards the confluence of the Ohura River saw the brown water clearly impacting on the preceding flow.

This reminded me of an article in the Chronicle this year, when a Whanganui business reported the cost of keeping its riverside port-located business operating, spending more than $200,000 dredging. No doubt more has been spent dredging the port.

These experiences reminded me even more of the need to focus on causes rather than effects. Take the port, for example. It would be better channelling some of our efforts into working with the upper river community to improve their land practices than dealing with the end result of digging up the silt.

On many issues, as a country and a community, we do not think about cumulative effects enough. News of more liquor outlets seeking to set up in our community is a chance to focus on the cause and say, "No, we do not need more". Otherwise expect increased alcohol-related activity.

This is not about trading everything off against the economy, but about thinking wider. While it may take greater thought and energy at the start, it often saves more time, energy and resources than fixing things later.

As we prepare for this election, no doubt we will be promised lots of money to deal with effects, but just how much, I wonder, will be spent on the causes?

In closing, I reflect on Tauranga, Mt Maunganui, and Papamoa. The cumulative effects of the Rena stranding will be felt for a long time to come.

Nancy Tuaine is Whanganui River Maori Trust Board manager, past electorate chair of Te Taihauauru Electorate of the Maori Party, a Whanau Ora Governance Group member, Taskforce for Youth Wellbeing member and Whanganui District Health Board member.