A Water Conservation Order (WCO) application has been lodged for the Ngaruroro and Clive rivers in Hawke's Bay, raising significant questions about water management, agricultural use, and collaborative planning processes in New Zealand.
The application
Five parties — including the New Zealand Fish and Game Council, the Hawke's Bay Fish and Game Council, Ngāti Hori ki Kohupatiki, Whitewater New Zealand, Jet Boating New Zealand, and the Royal Forest and Bird Protection Society — have submitted a WCO application covering the entire Ngaruroro River and Clive River systems.
Outstanding values claimed
The applicants argue these waterways possess significance for Māori culture, trout habitat, native fish, recreation, avifauna habitat, scenic qualities, and ecological value.
This represents only the second WCO seeking to regulate hydraulically connected groundwater, following the Rangitata River precedent.
Key tensions
- The Lower Ngaruroro valley supports agricultural and horticultural industries serving 85% of Hawke's Bay's population
- The Heretaunga aquifer (fed by these rivers) is considered fully allocated
- The WCO application conflicts with the concurrent TANK process, a community-based collaborative water management initiative
- Hawke's Bay Regional Council publicly opposes the application, stating it "cuts entirely across" the Regional Planning Committee's functions
Process
A special tribunal appointed by the Minister will conduct public hearings to assess the application, with potential appeals to the Environment Court and final approval by the Governor-General.
The outcome of this application will be closely watched by those involved in water management, agricultural development, and environmental protection across New Zealand.