Independent commissioners will begin hearing an application on Monday for Tasman Pulp & Paper Mill to extend its permits to discharge effluent into the Tarawera River for 35 years.
But those opposing the application by the largest paper mill in New Zealand, want to see a programme of continued clean up.
The mill's owners, Carter Holt Harvey and Norske Skog, want to continue discharging 220,000 litres of used water a day for the next 35 years.
Iwi in the Bay of Plenty and others opposing the application say the mill should only get five years with strict conditions to ensure it returns the river to its natural state.
On objector, Gordon Jackman, says the mill should only get five years with strict conditions to ensure it returns the river to its natural state.
He says the pollution is obvious, giving the river the name the Black Drain.
