Kaituna River

The Kaituna River is located in the Bay of Plenty region of the North Island of New Zealand. It is the outflow from Lakes Rotorua and Rotoiti, and flows northwards for 45 kilometres, emptying into the Bay of Plenty near Te Puke. It was the subject of a claim concerning the effluent flowing down the river from Lake Rotorua, which resulted in movement to a land treatment system.

The upper section of the Kaituna offers some of the best white-water kayaking and rafting in the world, containing the highest commercially rafted waterfall (7 meters) in the world. It is also famous for its trout fishing.

Kaituna River claim

During the 1970's Lake Rotorua was becoming eutrophic under heavy nutrient loadings, leading the Ministry of Works to propose diverting some sewage flow into the Kaituna River. Local iwi objected however, and filed a claim with the Waitangi Tribunal. Their objections included the insult to other iwi (leading to loss of mana) and destruction of the rivers "mauri" (life force or essence) which they believed would destroy its ability to sustain aquatic life. The Ministry of Works report however stated that the mauri concept was essentially religious in nature and not scientifically verifiable, while on the other hand diluting the waste would help prevent excess pollution and keep costs at a reasonable level. It should be noted that in Māori culture religion and science are not treated separately as they tend to be in Western culture.

In 1990 however, the Rotorua Land Treatment Scheme saw an upgrade to treatment facilities to remove 80% of nitrogen and phosphorus from the effluent [citeweb |url=http://www.ensisjv.com/Portals/0/ltcnews01.pdf |title=Newsletter of the New Zealand Land Treatment Collective (NZLTC) |accessdate=2007-04-10] , and land application to reduce eutrophication and satisfy Māori cultural wishes. This has led to better environmental, economic and cultural outcomes for all parties.

Currently there is a consultation regarding the installation of a new hydro electric power dam below the river at the end of Trout Pool Road; this will involve the creation of a man made dam and the flooding of some land and destroying a section of river known as "Awesome Gorge" and leaving the section known as "Gnarly Gorge" with a highly reduced flow; kayaking and rafting groups and local iwi have raised objections.

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