C U L T U R A L I M P A C T R E P O R T

wellington water supply

KAITOKE WEIR

IN ASSOCIATION WITH WELLINGTON TENTHS TRUST & PORT NICHOLSON

BLOCK SETTLEMENT TRUST

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CULTURAL IMPACT REPORT

WELLINGTON WATER SUPPLY –KAITOKE WEIR

PROPOSAL TO DECREASE LOWER MINIMUM FLOW

CONDITION

GREATER WELLINGTON REGIONAL COUNCIL

PROPOSAL OVERVIEW & TECHNICAL DETAIL ..............................................................................

T A B L E O F C O N T E N T S

3 LOCATION ....................................................................................................................................................3 LANDSCAPE .................................................................................................................................................3 CONSENT ......................................................................................................................................................3

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ...........................................................................................................................5 BACKGROUND TO CULTURAL IMPACT ISSUES ..............................................................................8 MĀORI HISTORY AND LOCAL PLACE NAMES ............................................................................... 15 ECOLOGICAL FLOWS ............................................................................................................................ 20 CULTURAL HEALTH INDEX ................................................................................................................. 23 WATER CONSERVATION ...................................................................................................................... 24 DEED OF SETTLEMENT - STATEMENT OF ASSOCIATION ......................................................... 25 CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS ..................................................................................... 27 BIBLIOGRAPHY........................................................................................................................................ 29 APPENDIX I ................................................................................................................................................ 30 APPENDIX II .............................................................................................................................................. 31

© Raukura Consultants

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PROPOSAL OVERVIEW & TECHNICAL DETAIL

LOCATION

The central part of this application is the Kaitoke Weir situated at kilometer 42 of the Hutt

River just above the confluence of the Pakuratahi River (41.1 km) and below the confluence

of the Eastern and Western Hutt Rivers in the Kaitoke Regional Park. The site is within the

boundary of Upper Hutt City and is only a few kilometers from SH2.

The applications relates to the Hutt Water Collection area being the upper catchments of the

Eastern and Western Hutt Rivers. This area is also the near the northern bounds of the Port

Nicholson Block and the traditional area of Te Atiawa/Taranaki Whanui which also

extended to the catchment boundary.

LANDSCAPE

The area upstream of the Kaitoke Weir feature extensive areas of unmodified silver beech, red

beech, and valley floor podocarp forest, alpine tussock lands, alpine wet turf and sub-alpine

sphagnum bog. It is one of the few areas in the region containing southern rata, a species endangered

by possum browsing. The forest is home to a great variety of indigenous forest birds, including the

rare kaka, kakariki and NZ falcon (karearea).

CONSENT

The existing consent WGN000199 [20537] is to take, use, dam and divert water at a rate of 1735 L/s

(150 Megalitres per day) with an instantaneous rate of no more than 1850 L/s from the Hutt River

for water supply purposes. The consent expires on 17 August 2036. The conditions of the resource

consent include the following:

8. The permit holder shall cease all abstraction from the Hutt River at the Kaitoke Weir when

flow upstream of the weir drops to 600 L/s. Abstraction shall not recommence until flow is

over 600 L/s.

9. The maximum daily abstraction volume from the Hutt River at the Kaitoke Weir shall not

exceed 150 MegaLitres.

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10. The maximum instantaneous abstraction rate shall not exceed 1850 L/s

11. When flow upstream of the weir is greater than 600 L/s but less than 1760 L/s, all flow

above 600 L/s can be abstracted.

12. When flow upstream of the weir is greater than 1760 L/s the maximum abstraction rate shall

not exceed 1160 L/s plus 50% of those flows over 1760 L/s

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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Wellington Water Supply – Change of Conditions to Water Permit

Background to the proposal

Greater Wellington Water has applied for a variation to a condition which have the effect of

reducing the minimum flow requirement from 600 L/s to 400 L/s at the Kaitoke Weir

where water is drawn at part of the Wellington water supply for a temporary period of 12

years. Additional conditions to require monitoring of the river, the use of a Low Flow

Management Plan, and a strengthening of the existing s128 condition is also proposed.

The abstraction from the Kaitoke Weir constitutes a significant part of the overall fresh

water supply for the four Wellington Cities. It is generally a run-of-the-river take that is

reasonably constant except in times of flood flow when the turbidity of the water makes it

inefficient to take the flow and the Te Marua Lakes back up the supply.

Introduction

This report is focused on the proposed temporary variation to the water take at the Kaitoke

Weir and any potential cultural and physical impacts of such an increase in the take at the

Weir. The report will also briefly look at the overall longer term scheme to supply water to

the Wellington Cities and the management of freshwater supply in Greater Wellington and

the long term alternatives to provide that supply.

This Report has been approved by: the Port Nicholson Block Settlement Trust and

Wellington Tenths Trust (the Trusts) as Iwi Authorities under RMA91 and jointly and

collectively represent the tangata whenua iwi of Wellington and the Hutt Valley of Te

Atiawa, Taranaki, Ngati Tama and Ngati Ruanui. Port Nicholson Block Settlement Trust is

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in the process of having a the Port Nicholson Block (Taranaki Whanui ki te Upoko o te Ika)

Deed of Settlement to be legislated in 2009. Te Runanganui o Taranaki Whanui ki te Upoko

o te Ika a Maui (the Runanga) has been consulted on this report.

The report will cover the cultural associations in the area and the entire Hutt River as an

entity of cultural importance to the mana whenua iwi of Wellington. The importance of the

freshwater resource to Maori has been highly important both in terms of how it is managed

from a cultural perspective and the two traditional concepts of kaitiakitanga (customary

guardianship) and rangatiratanga (authority and control) along with issues around possession

or even ownership.

Ecological Flows

The proposed National Standard for ecological flows seeks to maintain the ‘natural rhythms’

of the flow of river ensuring the high flows are not significantly attenuated and the low flows

are not decreased to levels that do not maintain the ecology of the river or stream. This

policy is to cover rivers where a management plan is not in place. The Hutt River is subject

to the Regional Freshwater Plan (1999) and a draft low flow management plan has been

drafted but not finalized. Because the Freshwater Plan is in place the proposed standard

would not apply, however the ethos behind the proposed policy should guide all decisions

makers and River Management Plans. Te Atiawa/Taranaki Whanui would support that

approach of adopting an ecological flow approach to river management, but would like to

localize the meaning of ecological flows for the entire Hutt River.

Water Conservation

Te Atiawa/Taranaki Whanui in considering this application would like to see a broader

consideration of the wider use of conservation mechanisms such as the use of water

metering, not just for industrial users but also for domestic uses. In the long run it is thought

that the use of meters would be a significant step forward to ensure domestic water users

properly value the water they use and are aware of their usage and perhaps for some of their

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wastage. Currently freshwater wastage can occur without users being aware of it with

leakages and perhaps water use practices which are particularly wasteful not being noticed.

Cultural Impacts

The overall flow of the Hutt River in periods of low flows can have impacts on the likes of

the eel, inanga, piharau and other indigenous fish species depending on the time of year.

There appears to have been little work done on these species to date and for completeness

further research should be considered. The use of the flow of the river for recreational and

social purposes including swimming, canoeing, waka ama and fishing (both for sport fish

(such as trout and indigenous fish such as tuna/eel) is highly significant for the Hutt

community generally and for Maori as a significant part of the community. These uses are

often at times when the flow of the river is at its lowest and are affected by anything that

limits low flows.

Water quantity is also an issue to be considered in this application particularly at time of low

flow in the Hutt River the assimilative capacity of the river is significantly reduced. Water

quality is a complex matter but is unlikely to have any effects in the immediate vicinity of a

water take as this comes from a relatively natural catchment with the largely indigenous

cover still in place. As the river goes through the many suburban and urban communities

drainage and runoff from these areas finds its way to the river. At times of low flow there is

little runoff but some drainage water finds its way to the stream. Agricultural drainage plays

little part in this catchment. The growth of algae over the summer and autumn period,

although a natural occurance has become a concern in recent years when the flow of the

river is low. This algae is often toxic to dogs walking in the riverbed. It is important that if

there are freshes or even flood flows occur during times generally of low flows that they are

not attenuated and abstractions should be limited at this period.

The impacts on the aquifers feed by the Hutt River also have a considerable cultural

association with the tangata whenua. Much of the recharge of the aquifers occurs in the

upper river and this should not be reduced significantly.

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Deed of Settlement – Statements of Association

The Deed of Settlement provides a statement of association with the bed of the Hutt River

and includes traditional, historical cultural and spiritual associations with the entire River.

These matters will be dealt with later in this report.

Kaitiakitanga

The role of Te Atiawa/Taranaki Whanui as kaitiaki should be included as a part of the

monitoring of the overall Hutt River systems and low flow management as well as

consideration of the establishment of a tool such as the cultural health index1

used in other

areas. As kaitiaki tangata whenua should have an active role in both the formulation of River

Management Plans as well as with general River management.

BACKGROUND TO CULTURAL IMPACT ISSUES

The basis of the Te Atiawa/Taranaki whanui values and interests in the

freshwater resource

1. Maori developed a complex system of management including the use of rahui or temporary

restriction and tapu for more permanent bans on the use of a water resource. Water bodies

1Ministry for the Environment. http://www.mfe.govt.nz/publications/water/cultural-health-index-for-streams-and-waterways-tech-report-apr06/index.html

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were said to have a mauri and were (and still are!) regarded as living entities. Waters were

ranked from the sacred puna wai to the water in common use, wai maori and those of very

limited use such as wai kino. Water and identity were intimately linked, for example ko wai

koe and waiora (health) or even wairangi (beside yourself). With the arrival of Europeans came

a completely different way of managing the fresh water resources and the ownership or

possession of water and land became separated. The Maori model of possession and

management being tightly linked was replaced with a European model with strong rules on

the ownership of land and the regard of water a being a common commodity.

2. Te Atiawa/Taranaki whanui ki te Upoko o te Ika a Maui have put forward the following set

of principles which underpin the tribe’s understanding of the freshwater resources in its

rohe. These principles can help understand the broader iwi approach to water from the

Maori world view.

Principles

3. Rangatiratanga principle – Iwi Maori have full authority and control over their taonga

wai maori/treasured freshwater resources. Full authority means that under the Resource

Management Act 1991 the iwi authority would be the consent authority or a joint consent

authority, or that the owner of the resource would have the ultimate rights of veto over the

issue of water resource consents from a water body deemed to be a taonga wai maori.

4. Taonga principle – Iwi Maori determine their freshwater resources that should be

accorded the very highest level of rangatiratanga. Taonga wai maori are waters that embody

the very essence of the iwi.

5. Waiora principle – Water is the life giving element of te ao turoa and as such the mauri or

life essence of any water resource should not be compromise by human activities. Where

water abstractions are so great that the water resource cannot support natural life and in

particular taonga species such as tuna/eels, koura/freshwater crayfish, piharau/lamprey

inanga/whitebait and kokopu, then they are not being managed in accordance with this

principle. Waiora also means that pollution deposited into a water body is at such a level

that taonga species, which traditionally existed in a water body, can no longer survive.

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6. Kaitiakitanga principle – with taonga water bodies and where the waiora principle applies

the practice of kaitiakitanga is operated by kaitiaki who are recognise by an iwi authority as

the guardians of that resource. The kaitiaki have a duty of care based on the best possible

knowledge of a resource in both the traditional sense and utilising modern water resource

management techniques. Water resource managers should clearly recognise kaitiaki and

work pro-actively with them.

7. Kawanatanga principle – The authority of the Crown/Government and its delegated

authorities (local authorities) is limited by its obligations to recognise taonga wai maori,

kaitiaki and the rangatiratanga of iwi Maori over their waiora.

VALUES AND INTERESTS OF TE ATIAWA/TARANAKI

WHANUI IN WELLINGTON

8. Freshwater in the Port Nicholson Block features three major rivers, two small coastal lakes,

a very important aquifer, many streams and small rivers. Much of the rohe drains to the

important coastal water resources of Te Whanganui a Tara (Wellington Harbour) and the

Wellington South and West Coast. All catchments have been significantly modified after the

arrival of settlers from the largely indigenous forest covered nature of the area that existed

before 1840. Even the relatively undeveloped catchment of the Orongorongo River has

been severely modified particularly by pests such as deer and opossum. The Hutt

(Waiwhetu) aquifer had been recognised as an important water resource from early use by

Maori, then by early European explorers, sealers and whalers. The rivers were also highways

into areas where the forest was both tall and dense and held many dangers, by contrast the

rivers were largely open, easy to traverse with many food resources in the waters or on or

near the banks.

9. Te Atiawa values were developed with a relatively sparse population in communities that

were widespread with little infrastructure and a largely unmodified indigenous forest cover

interspersed with native grasslands. The physical situation for much of Wellington’s water

resources changed with a major uplift of land all around Wellington harbour in 1855 as part

of a major earthquake, which lifted the bed of the Hutt River and drained many of its

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marginal swamps. Prior to colonisation water quality was generally high with flooding and

associated siltation being the most significant aspects affecting water quality. Swamps such

as Te Momi in the lower Hutt valley and Waiwhetu River mouth area, were undrained and

were used as food gathering areas for the abundant mahinga kai that grew there. That all

changed quite rapidly with colonisation and water quality deteriorated irreversibly, flooding

increased in severity, siltation increased as did discharges of human based effluent.

10. Water was and remains a taonga of Te Atiawa/Taranaki whanui highly values in it pristine

state. It is interesting to note that the equivalent of a waipuna (spring) exists with an artesian

well in the middle of Petone at Buick Street where residents can collect untreated Hutt

aquifer water – this water is highly prized by local people whether Maori or Pakeha.

Taonga and Waiora

11. Taonga wai ora for Te Atiawa/Taranaki whanui ki te Upoko o te Ika would include the

two lakes Kohangapiripiri and Kohangatera, the Korokoro Stream, the Waiwhetu Stream,

Waiwhetu aquifer.

12. Waiora resources include Te Awakairangi/Hutt River and it tributaries including the

Pakuratahi, Akatarewa, Whakatikei and Mangaroa Rivers, Owhiro Stream, Makara Stream,

Orongorongo River, and Wainuiomata River and tributaries,

13. Taonga freshwater fish includes: tuna/eels (long and short finned), koura/freshwater

crayfish, piharau/lamprey inanga/whitebait, koaro and various kokopu.

CULTURAL & ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS

Historical Cultural Background

14. The freshwater flow of the Hutt River has had high significance to Maori from the earliest

time, well before the arrival of Te Atiawa in the Hutt Valley. Te Awakairangi was the name

attributed by some to the Polynesian explorer Kupe and others to Tara, son of Whatonga.

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Elsdon Best2

15. Canoe navigation took Maori as far as Kaitoke and to the Pakuratahi River. This allowed

easy access well inland and gave Maori access to the area generally and to resources such as

the pukeko/pakura (hence Pakuratahi = first swamp hen) as a food source along with the

longfin eel habitat. It is noted that the pukeko are still common in the area. Tuna or the

longfin (and to a lesser extent, short-fin) eel were a primary resource from this area however

today they are less common as the habitat and food supply diminished and competition

with the exotic brown trout have reduced eel abundance.

connected the meaning of this name with Te Motu Kairangi (Miramar

Peninsula) and it mean’t ‘the watercourse of greatest value’, it being navigable by canoe far

into the interior (prior to the uplift of 1855) of the land and thereby giving easy access to

almost unlimited food supplies. The river’s name was change to Heretaunga and for a time

to Te Wai-o-Orutu, and then in 1839 became known as the Hutt River.

16. The reduction of the low flow condition at the Kaitoke Weir is unlikely to have any

significant direct cultural and environmental impacts when taken in isolation from the overall

Wellington Water Supply scheme. However this proposal needs to viewed more broadly in

terms of cultural and environmental impacts which are both direct and indirect.

Indigenous Fisheries in Te Awakairangi

17. In 1840 the upper Hutt River held a vigorous indigenous fish population. With

environmental changes over the last 170 years this population has significantly diminished

along with its importance as a food resource. However most species are still present in the

river today. There has been some survey work done of these species over the years although

the information is sparse.

18. The reduction in the low flow condition from 600 litre/sec at the Kaitoke Weir to 400l/s is

unlikely to have a negative impact on the indigenous fish stock of the area including the

long fin eel. Other indigenous fish identified by previous studies3

included the following:

i. Longfin eel/tuna

ii. Shortfin eel/tuna

iii. Dwarf Galaxias

iv. Inanga

v. Lamprey/piharau

vi. Crans bully

vii. Common bully

viii. Giant bully

ix. Bluegill bully

x. Redfin bully

xi. Giant kokopu

xii. Koaro

19. Strictland and Quarterman ranked the Hutt River below Kaitoke Weir as very important for

native fish based on their review of the New Zealand Freshwater Fish Database.

20. The Kaitoke Weir is a serious impediment to eel and most other fish to travel upstream

from that point, as it is both too high and the flow too fast for most fish to get upstream.

The trusts believe that there should be an investigation into designing and installing an ‘eel’

bypass at the Weird. There have been a number of these structures constructed at dams and

weirs, that allow the passage of eel elvers and young piharau/lamprey upstream, but not

allow trout and salmon passage. Migrating adult eels would probably manage the drop at the

weir as they travel to the ocean to spawn when mature.

21. Maori would have also pursued piharau/lamprey which would have frequented this part of

the river system. Little is known of their abundance today but they were very abundant in

the lifetime of some of our more elderly kaumatua.

Table 1 Swimming ability classification of some New Zealand freshwater fish species

(modified from Mitchell & Boubee 1989) cited in Hudson & Harkness, Hutt River Instream Flow

Assessment, Fish Passage in the Hutt Gorge, 2008

Swimming ability classification Species

Anguilliforms: These fish are able to worm their

way through intersticies in stones or vegetation either

in or out of water. They can respire atmospheric

oxygen if their skin remains damp.

Shortfinned and longfinned eels, and to some extent

juvenile kokopu and koaro.

Climbers: These species climb the wetted margins

of waterfalls, rapids and spillways. They adhere to the

substrate using the surface tension and can have

roughened ‘sucker like’ pectoral and pelvic fins or

even a sucking mouth (lamprey). The freshwater

shrimp is an excellent climber.

Lamprey, elvers juvenile kokopu, koaro and shrimp.

To a limited extent juvenile common and redfinned

bullies.

Jumpers: Able to leap using the waves at waterfalls

and rapids. As water velocity increases it becomes

energy saving for these fish to jump over the obstacle

Trout, salmon, and possibly (on a scale of 20-50 mm)

smelt and inanga

Swimmers: Fish that usually swim around obstacles.

They rely on areas of low velocity to rest and reduce

lactic acid build-up with intermittent ‘burst’ type

anaerobic activity to get past high velocity areas.

Inanga, smelt, and grey mullet

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MĀORI HISTORY AND LOCAL PLACE NAMES

22. The Maori history of the area, like Te Upoko o te Ika generally, has been one of change

with waves of migration (heke) of the iwi from Te Tai Rāwhiti (East Coast) starting with

Whātonga and his sons Tautoki and Tara with later peoples being their descendants. The

East Coast people were followed by the iwi from Te Tai Hauauru (West Coast) being then

migrations from the northern Taranaki iwi whose descendants maintain ahi kaa today.

23. Much of the history of Pakuratahi and environs is embodied in the names and places that

remain. For example the grassed area called Haukaretu (now known as Māoribank) which

literally means the wind in the sweet smelling grass. The tall forest was still intact when the

New Zealand Company surveyors travelled up the valley in 1839. This forest was to later

support a large sawmilling industry which lasted many years. Orongomai is the old Maori

name of the area where Upper Hutt now stands. It means “the place of Rongomai”. He was

an ancestor and patron of the tribes whose ancestors came in the Kurahaupo canoe.

According to their traditions the captain was Whatonga, ancestor of the Ngai Tara and

Rangitane tribes.

24. Pakuratahi (literally meaning first swamp hen or Pukeko) is also the river flowing into the

Hutt River at its upper reaches to the east of Kaitoke Regional Park. Maori traversed

through this area to the Wairarapa over the Rimutaka (Remutaka) range as an alternative to

the coastal route via Turakirae. There are no known Pā or kainga sites in Kaitoke Regional

Park or Pakuratahi generally. Some of the first peoples in this area were the descendants of

Whātonga including his sons Tara-ika (after whom Te Whanganui a Tara is named) and

Tautoki. It is said that the area was divided along the Heretaunga (Te Awakairangi) River

with the Tara people to the west including the west coast from Otaki southwards around to

Turakirae and Tautoki having the east excluding the coastal area of Fitzroy Bay

(Parangarehu). It is noted that Rangitāne was the son of Tautoki.

25. Following the Ngai Tara, the next migration into the region was from Waipukurau and

included the hapu of Ngati Raku-whakairi and Ngati Kahukura-awhiti, both of Ngati Ira. In

pre-European times the Pā Whakataka occupied by the Ngati Ira people was located at Te

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Marua on a hill overlooking where the Mangaroa Stream joins the Heretaunga (Hutt River).

This Pā was sacked by a war party including Tamati Waka Nene, Patuone and Tuwhare of

Ngati Whātua, and others including Te Rauparaha of Ngati Toa. This ope taua or war party

had muskets but struggled to overtake this well defended Pā.

26. Pā Whakapapa was said to be located across the Hutt River from the Te Marua Golf

Course off the east end of Gillespie’s Road. This was another Ngāti Ira Pā and is probably

the remains of a Pā seen by Dieffenbach when he surveyed the valley in 1840. The trails

from Heretaunga (Hutt Valley) to the Wairarapa traversed this way. Waka would be taken

up rivers as far as possible then the river valley was followed to the Pakuratahi flats and

thence across the Rimutaka Range. Dieffenbach when attempting to traverse to the

Wairarapa was unsuccessful, however a later expedition lead by Stokes engaged Maori

guides and was successful in the traverse. Purehurehu (now known as Moonshine) was also

the name of the track from the Hutt Valley to Porirua. The Maori history saw significant

changes in the 19th century in part as a result of the arrival of the musket. The event that

triggered these changes was the Amiowhenua taua (a war party) of 1821-22 which originated

with Ngati Whatua and other Kaipara, Tamaki and Hauraki peoples which proceeded first

through Hawke’s Bay and Wairarapa then north again to Waitara where it was joined by

Ngati Toa and Ngati Awa. After significant altercations the taua travelled through to the

Wellington area, where their actions included the attack on Pa Whakataka described above.

27. This taua was followed by several waves of migration to the West coast around Waikanae

and Kapiti of Ngati Toa and their kin from Ngati Koata and Ngati Rarua from Kawhia

along with the Ngati Awa iwi of Ngati Tama, Ngati Mutunga and Te Atiawa from Northern

Taranaki. Of these eventually Ngati Tama and Ngati Mutunga came into Te Whanganui a

Tara and started to settle around the harbour around 1820 to 1830. Later in this time the

fighting Chiefs of Te Atiawa from Nga Motu (now New Plymouth) went to live in the

Wairarapa. They returned from the Wairarapa when Ngati Tama and Ngati Mutunga left for

the Chatham Islands in 1835 with Te Atiawa taking over places such as Waiwhetu,

Ngauranga, Pipitea, and others predominantly around the harbour. After 1842 some of

Ngati Tama returned to Wellington from the Chatham Islands and sought to take up their

interests again in Upper Hutt. Eventually the Taranaki people, Te Atiawa, occupied all of

the Hutt Valley shortly before the Europeans came, with villages at Te Hau-Karetu

(Maoribank) and Whirinaki (Silverstream).

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Making peace

28. After a period of fighting between the Ngati Kahungunu people in the Wairarapa and the

Te Atiawa (Ngati Awa) people now resident in the Hutt, discussions were entered into to

make peace in 1840. When the peace making was being discussed by the two peoples at the

Hutt, Peehi (Peehi Tu-te-pakihi-rangi of Ngati Kahungunu) made the following remarks in

his speech to Honiana te Puni, to Ngatata, to Kiri-kumara, to Miti-kakau, to Taringakuri and

the assemble peoples of Awa and other tribes:

“This is my message for you: - I cannot occupy all the land. Yonder stands the great Tararua range, let

the main range be as a shoulder for us. The gulches that descend on the western side, for you to drink the

waters thereof; the gullies that descend on the eastern side, I will drink of their waters. Remain here as

neighbours for me henceforward.”

29. The offer of peace was accepted, both side agreed thereto, with many many speeches. The

boundary between the two peoples ran from Turakirae along the main ridge to Remutaka,

along that to Tararua, and on northward along its main summit. And so the two peoples

lived in peace on either side of that line. The tangata whenua today are Te Atiawa/Taranaki

whanui who have exercised ahikaa (or rights of occupation) from the 19th century after

successfully taking the place of Ngati Ira who moved to the Wairarapa district. This area

has a very long history associated with a number of tangata whenua groups. Prior to

the arrival of the Taranaki iwi (Taranaki whānui), Ngāti Ira held the manawhenua. A

number of the ancestral sites date back to the time of Ngāti Ira’s occupation and

perhaps to even earlier groups. Responsibility for or kaitiakitanga (guardianship)

over these sites transferred with the transfer of the manawhenua status to the Te

Atiawa. From around 1820 to the present time the area has been the under the

manawhenua of the broad grouping of Te Atiawa Nui Tonu associated with the

Tokomaru waka. These people came from Northern Taranaki to the area initially

around 1820, either displacing the people who were previously in the district but

more often occupying areas that had been vacant for some time. The various hapū

including Ngāti Mutunga, Ngāti Tama and Te Atiawa had predominated, with Ngāti

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Mutunga leaving its interests in Wellington to their Te Atiawa kin largely when they

left for the Chatham Islands in 1835.

30. Ernest Dieffenbach, a naturalist to the New Zealand Company, wrote of his travels

in New Zealand published in 1843.i

“ …Having on a subsequent occasion (August 1840) explored the valley of the Eritonga [sic

Heretaunga], I will here give a description of that river. …. During flood-tide it is easily

entered by large boats, which can go up for about six miles, when shallowness of the water,

and the danger arising from the snags which are embedded in its bottom, prevent their

farther progress. … Higher up the valley the alluvial land is covered with trees, of which the

rimu and kahikatea pines are especially remarkable for their size. …. Up to this place (about

7 miles up the river) the river has an average depth from 2 -3 feet. In rainy weather it often

swells suddenly, …. This part of the river (probably above the Silverstream area) is really

picturesque. … the large crested comorant is found here in great numbers among the higher

branches of the trees. It feeds upon eels and a small kind of fish with which the Eritonga

abounds. … About twenty-five miles (40 kilometres) from its outlet, on the right shore, was

a steep rocky bluff, of a hard trap-rock, over which fell two cascades. …. The forest is very

open, and in some parts consist almost entirely of tawai-trees (beech), and in others of the

totara.”

Waitangi Tribunal Report

31. The Waitangi Tribunal put the matter this way in terms of all those who have an interest in

the Port Nicholson Block, however the detail of their inquiry was limited in this particular

area:

32. … the Tribunal gave detailed consideration of which Maori groups had customary

rights as at 1840 to the lands within the Port Nicholson block (as extended to the

south-west coast in 1844). At section 2.6.7, we concluded that those with take

raupatu were the independent groups who were members of a collective which

conquered Te Whanganui a Tara and its environs. The take raupatu, which covered

all lands within the Port Nicholson block which were not covered by ahi kaa rights

at 1840, gave them the potential to further develop ahi kaa rights within the block.

19

Those with ahi kā rights within the Port Nicholson block (as extended in

1844 to the south-west coast) were:

“Te Atiawa at Te Whanganui a Tara4

Taranaki and Ngāti Ruanui at Te Aro;

and part of the south-west coast;

Ngāti Tama at Kaiwharawhara and environs, and part of the south-west

coast;

Ngāti Toa at Heretaunga and parts of the south-west coast”

33. In addition to this, these groups held ‘take raupatu’5 over the remainder of lands not

secured by ahi kā and with the potential to further develop ahi kā rights within the

block.6

4 Te Whanganui a Tara as used in the Waitangi Tribunal report meant – Wellington Harbour or Port Nicholson including Heretaunga (Hutt Valley) and is now the site of Wellington City

.

5 Take raupatu – a right based on conquest, where tribes were displaced by invading groups.

6 Waitangi Tribunal, Te Whanganui a Tara me ōna Takiwā – Report on the Wellington District, 2003,p 254

20

Deed of Settlement – Taranaki Whanui ki te Upoko o Te Ika7

34. The Deed of Settlement for the Port Nicholson Block with Taranaki Whanui ki te

Upoko o te Ika is currently being legislated through a Bill before a Parliamentary

Select Committee to finalise the settlement of all of the Treaty of Waitangi claims

for Taranaki Whanui ki te Upoko o te Ika. The Port Nicholson Block (Taranaki

Whanui ki te Upoko o te Ika) Claims Settlement Bill includes among other this

statutory acknowledgements of some 13 sites including the bed of the Hutt River.

ECOLOGICAL FLOWS

35. The Government proposal to establish a National Environmental standard to cover

ecological flows and water levels was put forward to provide for water bodies that are not

currently covered by specific management plans and specific low flow regimes. The Hutt

River is subject to the Regional Policy Statement (RPS) made operative in May 1995. The

issues section of the RPS identifies that the sustainable management of water requires an

adequate residual flow to be left in rivers to safeguard fish and wildlife habitats and provide

for other instream values. The objectives of the RPS include:

Objective 3

Freshwater resources of significance or of high value for cultural, spiritual, scenic, ecosystem, natural, recreational,

or other amenity reasons are protected and enhanced.

Policy 13

To recognize the cultural relationship of the tangata whenua with rivers, lakes, wetlands, and other water bodies,

and to promote the management of fresh water in ways that take into account iwi values and beliefs. In addition,

to promote the protection and management of sites of significance to iwi within the beds of water bodies

Hutt River Low flow Management Plan (Preliminary draft at August 2007)

7 Port Nicholson Block (Taranaki Whānui ki Te Upoko o Te Ika) Claims Settlement Bill, s25(1), s26(1)

21

The Goal of the Management Plan is to minimize the environmental impacts of water

abstraction during periods of low flow in the Hutt River.

The objectives of the Plan are:

1. to minimize the impact of water abstraction during periods of low flow on the Hutt

River.

2. To describe specific actions to be taken when flows below identified trigger points

occur.

3. To facilitate on-going liaison with stakeholders.

4. To determine the nature and scale of any impacts by monitoring aspects of the

ecosystem during periods of low flow.

5. To provide a mechanism for reviewing the plan should objectives 1, 2 and 3 not be

achieved to the satisfaction of all parties.

6. To explore practical mitigation options should monitoring results indicate

degradation of the ecosystem.

Comment

From the earliest naming of Te Awakairangi (Hutt River) was seen as a cultural resource of

high significance not just as a means to easily access the rich natural resources of the

hinterland by waka/canoe but also as the home for rich fisheries resources. The relationship

of the Te Atiawa/Taranaki tangata whenua with the Hutt River in now formally recognized

with “Statement of Association” with Taranaki Whanui ki te Upoko o te Ika.

7. This report examines the possible impacts on the cultural, spiritual and recreational

values of re-setting the low flow regime though a variation in the conditions of the

water take consent at the Kaitoke Weir.

22

Taranaki Whanui ki te Upoko o te Ika want to be involved in the monitoring of the Hutt

River from the Kaitoke Weir to the mouth of the Hutt River at Hikoikoi and to ensure that

the low flow conditions are maintained and that the indigenous fish species are sustained in

the waterways as an indicator of the cultural health of the river.

Any proposal for the damming of other tributaries of the Hutt River for water supply

purposes will need to be examined in detail by the Trusts on behalf of Taranaki Whanui ki te

Upoko o te Ika. Each proposal will need to be evaluated to examine the local effects along

with any cumulative effect on the main river and the receiving water of Te Whanganui a

Tara/Wellington Harbour.

Possible alternative water supply sources

This application is seen as a temporary ‘fix’ although it is sought for a 5 year term. The

longer term solution would be two-fold. The supply side of the equation will need to be

enhanced from some alternate water source in either the greater Hutt River Catchment or a

combination of the Wainuiomata and Orongorongo Rivers or perhaps some enhancement

from an aquifer supplied by the Hutt River. Any alternative will take 8 -10 years to get into

place. The following alternatives (or some combination thereof) have been put forward:

Storage dam at Whakatikei River Gorge at the end of Bulls Run Road; or

Pakuratahi River at Ladle Bend; or

Wainuiomata River tributary at Skull Gully above the decommissioned Morton Dam

with a pipeline to the Orongorongo River.

An increased take from the Waiwhetu Aquifer is probably not possible as this is

close to being fully allocated.

These are all costly alternatives and would take eight to ten year to consent, design, build and

fill. Any of these options would also generate potential cultural impacts. It is clear that

lowering the low flow condition at the Kaitoke Weir is the cheapest and simplest option, and

probably the only one that could be implemented in the short term.

23

If and when an alternative water supply source is brought in to the overall system then

reconsideration of the low flow condition should be made with the likely option being a

return to the 600 L/s at the Kaitoke Weir being one preferred by Taranaki Whanui ki te

Upoko o te Ika.

CULTURAL HEALTH INDEX

The model of a cultural health index was developed in Te Wai Pounamu by Ngai Tahu

people as a method to evaluate sites in rivers, lakes and streams to provide a single index to

characterize that site. The concept is not static and the site could be re-evaluated if certain

factors in the index changed. The index is made up of three components:

1. Site status – is this a traditional site known to Maori

2. Mahinga kai status – is this site known as a food gathering site today and is the past

3. Cultural health – what is the current condition of the site in physical and cultural

terms.

Although no such analysis has been done for sites along Te Awakairangi it is clear that the

Kaitoke Weir site would rate highly as would a number of sites right to the mouth where the

river flows into the harbour.

24

WATER CONSERVATION

The other consideration is tighter management of the demand side of water usage. Demand

is growing and is highest in the long dry periods over the summer and autumn where water

is often wanted for watering gardens, lawns and other uses as well as for the usual domestic

water use. This report takes a brief look at mechanisms such as metering of domestic takes

and having a more user pay approach to water use. High users such as commercial users are

usually metered already, but residential usage is not metered in Wellington, Hutt, Porirua and

Upper Hutt Cities. Education about water conservation is a significant mechanism to ensure

residents take all steps possible in periods of water shortage. There are household design

mechanisms which could assist in reducing mains water demand. These could include on-site

rain water collection, water conservation gardening and grey water re-use.

Upgrading of city infrastructure such as replacing old and leaking pipes will help reduce

demand particularly where there are significant losses in the water supply system. It is noted

that cities are already addressing these issues, however where large leaks are occurring they

should be addressed by the Councils. These matters should be addressed by the Councils as

a matter of priorty including bringing forward routine system maintenance if possible.

Water conservation techniques are probably the cheapest alternative for households with the

use of mulching, conserving rainwater on site in times of low rainfall and planting that uses

less water and does not require irrigation in times of water shortage. Councils could provide

landowners with more information on these matters.

Freshwater demand in Greater Wellington is growing in excess of earlier predictions and it is

usual for controls to be applied by all of the Cities supplied by this scheme. This application

looks to extend the supply side of the water equation by allowing a reduction in the low flow

condition at one of the key intake points. This cannot be considered in isolation from the

demand side of the equation.

25

Water Metering

Domestic water metering is a controversial issue, principally because of the high cost of

installing such meters in domestic situations. Commercial water metering in most

municipalities is already the norm for high users particularly. It has been noted that

Wellington water usage is around 30% higher per person than Auckland City which is all

metered. The cost of installing meters for Wellington alone is around $40 M according to

Wellington’s mayor.

There are significant system losses in some suburbs particularly were the water supply

infrastructure is ageing. These losses should be addressed as a priority as they have the

potential for considerable savings in water demand, however these should be regarded as

standard maintenance and system upgrading. The most serious system losses should be

addressed first before any other measures aside from water conservation education

strategies.

It is more difficult to get a greater contribution from private residences and some

commercial properties, as these often include significant private investment. The use of grey

water from irrigation is a controversial issue with significant problems to be made to work

sustainably and these systems require considerable retrofitting of drainage systems. Grey

water may not be acceptable for vegetable gardens. Collection of rainwater for irrigation is

expensive and suitable tanks usually need to be very large for suburban sections.

DEED OF SETTLEMENT - STATEMENT OF ASSOCIATION

PORT NICHOLSON BLOCK (TARANAKI WHĀNUI KI TE UPOKO O TE IKA) DEED

OF SETTLEMENT:

The following description is included in the Deed of Settlement for Taranaki Whanui ki te Upoko o te Ika:

Hutt River

26

Te Awakairangi is the oldest name for the Hutt River attributed to the Polynesian explorer Kupe. It

was also known as Heretaunga in a later period. The origins of the streams flowing to Awakairangi

are high in the Tararua Range. The stream and rivers lead down through Pakuratahi at the head of

the Hutt Valley. Taranaki Whānui ki Te Upoko o Te Ika had interests at Pakuratahi. The trail linking

Te Whanganui a Tara and the Wairarapa came through Pakuratahi and over the Rimutaka Range.

Prior to the 1855 uplift Te Awakairangi was navigable by waka up to Pakuratahi and the river was

navigable by European ships almost to Whirinaki (Silverstream). Taranaki Whānui ki Te Upoko o Te

Ika travelled in the Hutt Valley largely by waka. There were few trails through the heavy forest of the

valley. Many Taranaki Whānui ki Te Upoko o Te Ika Kainga

and Pā were close to the river including at Haukaretu (Maoribank), Whakataka Pā (which was

across the bank from what is now Te Marua), Mawaihakona (Wallaceville), Whirinaki, Motutawa Pā

(Avalon), Maraenuku Pā (Boulcott), Paetutu Pā and at the mouth of the river, Hikoikoi Pā to the

west and Waiwhetu Pā (Owhiti) to the east.

Te Awakairangi linked the settlements as well as being a food supply for the pā and kainga along

the river. Mahinga kai were found along the river such as Te Momi (Petone) which was a wetland

that held abundant resources of birds, tuna and other food sources. The river ranged across the

valley floor and changed course several times leaving rich garden sites. Waka were carved from

forest trees felled for that purpose close to the river.

Comment

The statement of association is part of the Deed of Settlement for Taranaki Whanui ki te Upoko o

Te Ika represented by the Port Nicholson Block Settlement Trust (the Trust). It provides the Trust

with a Crown acknowledgement of their association with, in this case, the bed of the Hutt River. This

means that the settlement entity requires specific notification under RMA91 and a consent authority

must decide whether the Trust is an affected party. In this case this decision has already been taken

and this report is part of that involvement. The Environment Court must also consider the statutory

acknowledgement when deciding to hear representatives of the Trust. Behind this statement of

association is the recognition that Taranaki Whanui ki te Upoko o te Ika must be considered as a key

stakeholder in what happens in the Hutt River is all aspects of the management of the river from the

management of the flow of the river through proposals to dam and abstract water from the river,

though any impacts on the aquifers feed by the river and the management of the bed of the river

including any gravel extractions.

27

CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS

1. The Trusts would conditionally support the proposal to change the condition to

reduce the minimum flow in the Hutt River from 600 L/s to 400 L/s downstream of

the Kaitoke Weir for a period of 12 years with the following requirements or

considerations.

2. That this change does not change to the volume of water that can be taken including

both the daily rate and the instantaneous rate.

3. That a low flow management plan is approved and used and that Plan should be

drawn up with the Trusts as a party.

4. That a condition is added to the consent requiring the applicant to monitor the

health and ecology of the river with the reduced low flow in place and results of that

monitoring are provided to the Trusts.

5. The Trusts generally agree with the proposed conditions as set out in the Tonkin and

Taylor Report to GWRC, October 2008 at Pages 11 & 12 with the changes to

consultation provision as set out in recommendations 3 & 4.

6. It is taken as a given that the Trusts will be integrally involved in the process of

evaluation and decision of the long term solution to the Wellington Cities freshwater

supply.

7. That active consideration be given to the potential design and installation of the eel

elver bypass at the Kaitoke Weir to allow the natural re-stocking of the Upper Hutt

Rivers catchments with eel and lamprey.

28

Confluence of the Hutt and Pakuratahi Rivers just below the Kaitoke Weir

29

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Best, Journal of the Polynesian Society, The Land of Tara and they who dwelt therein, Vol 26, pp164-5, 1917 – 1919.

Strickland, R.; Quarterman, A. 2001. Review of freshwater fish in the Wellington Region. Cawthron Report 669 quoted in Appendix 6, Hudson 2008, Hutt River Instream Habitat prepared for Greater Wellington Water in the Resource Consent Application.

Dieffenbach, Ernest. Travels in New Zealand, Vol 1, London 1843, Chapter III Port Nicholson – Wellington – Excursion into the Valley of the Eritonga [sic Heretaunga]

Waitangi Tribunal, Te Whanganui a Tara me Ōna Takiwā: Report on the Wellington District, 2003

Tonkin & Taylor, Report to Greater Wellington Regional Council, Water Supply Parks & Forest Division, Resource Consent Application and Assessment of Environmental Effects for a Change of Conditions to Water Permit WGN000199[20537], October 2008 and Appendicies

Contact details :

P O Box 536

Wellington Tenths Trust

Wellington Contact: Liz Mellish

Phone: 04 473 2502

Cell: 027 4403989

Port Nicholson Block Settlement Trust

P O Box 12164

Wellington Contact: Aroha Thorpe

Phone: 04 4723872

Cell: 027 4572001

30

APPENDIX I

Pakuratahi Blocks 3, 4 & 7 adjacent to Gilbert Road & SH 2 and close to Waterworks Road were part

of the Wellington Tenths and Section 4 remains as part of the Reserve. The property is leased to

Tom Burrell Farms.

31

APPENDIX II

Map showing some of the ancient Pa sites along with some other key sites in the Te Marua – Kaitoke area