28 Sep 2010

Taranaki iwi cries foul over water supply plan

7:46 pm on 28 September 2010

Ngati Ruanui is crying foul over a South Taranaki District Council plan to hand a major water supply to farmers.

The iwi's chairperson, Ngapari Nui, says they have been opposing the idea since it was first mooted a decade ago.

Mr Nui told Waatea News that the council's approach to the Cold Creek rural water supply scheme includes backing a local bill -sponsored by Whanganui MP Chester Borrows - which will give effect to the switch.

That, Mr Nui says, is in marked contrast to the council's lack of support for iwi in the rohe.

Not only has the council not consulted with Ngati Ruanui, he says, but it excluded the iwi from a meeting with Mr Borrows and stakeholders earlier this month.