BoPRC Election Candidate Views

Communities around Lake Rotoiti and the wider Bay of Plenty rely on the Ōhau Diversion Wall to protect water quality. With the wall now severely degraded, we’ve asked every candidate to share their position on fixing it, so voters can see who supports urgent, practical action. Explore the responses below.

Nick Chater

“Yes, 100%.  As you may know, I’ve had 9 years on the Lakes Community Board (Deputy Chair for the past 6) and am a local Otaramarae resident (24 years).  If I’m lucky enough to get in alongside some pretty awesome other candidates who are standing, then this would be at the top of the agenda in my representation for Rotorua”.

Dr. Iwi Te Whau, Ph.D

“Ko Te Arawa te waka
Ko Matawhaura te maunga
Ko Ngāti Te Takinga, Ngāti Pikiao etehi I oku hapu
Ko te awa o Ōhau te puna ora
Ko Te Rotoiti I kite ai a Ihenga te roto.
Ko Te Takinga te tupuna
He mokopuna au o Heke raua ko Ngareta

No reira tēna koe, koutou.

The importance of the Ōhau River is deeply significant to me and my commitments, particularly regarding decisions affecting future generations. As you maybe aware my heart is all about Mokopuna Decisions, “We are all a mokopuna to someone, so the decisions we make today affects our mokopuna of tomorrow. So yes I will be supporting this kaupapa and adding extra cultural safety practices to the mix. Its not just about fixing the mistakes its about ensuring we look after our taonga. So with my iwi leaders and elders, I will be activating on their recommendations. Im their mokopuna so their voice is important at the table.

I am committed to being a strong advocate for our awa and puna. While I cannot comment on the actions of previous Councillors in 2019 when this issue was raised, I am determined to be a voice at the table. Once again my voice will be powered by my iwi, hapu, whanau and hāpori (Community), talking to this kaupapa with facts and solutions once again with guidance and support from experts. Im also considering a discussion from one of our elders that said our iwi of the ōhau channel should be monitoring access by locals with a toll service to access.

Having even one voice at the discussion teepu or table is crucial. My voice will not be silent or marginalised, as I am committed to addressing this with diligence and based on facts.

Thank you for bringing this to my attention. I am aware that Councillor Kevin Winters has acknowledged and apologised for past actions, of this matter and I hope he takes further steps to address these concerns. The local council must also address the many other factors affecting our rivers and lakes”.

Murray Guy

“On one side, put the fact that I have been nominated for the regional Council. During the cruise ship season, I host many hundreds of inbound visitors, and the wall is always pointed out and discussed. Why is it necessary with our higher levels of productivity, and what benefits has the lake enjoyed as a result? No, it is not the Loch Ness Monster.

When I became aware not too long ago regarding the state and disrepair of the facility, it certainly was with concern.

You can be absolutely assured that I share your concerns and am passionate about protecting and enhancing our lakes and waterways”.

Adrian Gault

“Thank you for your email and for sharing the links to the Fix Ōhau Wall Campaign website. As you may know, my family are long-time recreational users of Lake Rotoiti, and we’ve recently become ratepayers in the area, so I have both personal and civic interest in its wellbeing.

Do I believe the wall needs repair? In short, yes. However, if elected as a councillor, I would need to review a comprehensive set of repair or rebuild options before committing to any specific solution. This includes a full cost-benefit analysis and a clear understanding of the projected lifespan of each option. I’m cautious about investing significant ratepayer funds into a fix that may only be temporary. Often, the cheapest or fastest solution isn’t the most sustainable one.

Another layer of complexity is the increasing demand on the Bay of Plenty Regional Council’s capital and resources. Many local district councils are financially stretched, and with added pressure from central government, particularly around the “Local Water Done Well” policy and in the “City Deals” initiative targeting the Western Bay of Plenty, BOPRC will face difficult decisions about which projects to prioritise.

Ratepayers rightly expect transparency and restraint when it comes to rate increases. Personally, I would advocate for keeping any increases minimal and well-justified.

I appreciate the work your group is doing and look forward to the opportunity to collaborate on progressing this issue constructively”.

Anna Grayling

“I can see why the community wants action, and I want to acknowledge and thank residents for their ongoing commitment to the health of our lakes. 
 
From my 12 years in the Rotorua Te Arawa Lakes Programme as Principle Advisor, I know how important it is to be able to prove that any intervention will genuinely work. At this point, we need to reassess the actual volume of water moving through the wall, and resolve the differences of opinion about what is truly driving nitrogen levels and algal blooms. Until we have that clarity, any proposed fix may not serve the long-term interests of Rotoiti or the wider Rotorua lakes.
 
I am totally in support of residents in finding a solution to elevated nitrogen, and I share the goal of ensuring Lake Rotoiti is enhanced and protected. But any intervention must be rock solid and deliver a measurable benefit to water quality.
 
The question of cost can come later; the first priority is proving effectiveness. That way, whatever decision is made will stand the test of time and deliver real gains for the lake and for the community”.

Lyall Thurston QSO

“I am committed to repairing the wall as a strategic priority to achieve total functionality as intended. 

This objective is to be progressed through fast tracking a cost-effective repair method based on science, modelling and research with ongoing consultation and specialist expertise from the Lake Rotoiti community, Te Arawa Lakes Trust (TALT), Hau kainga, Lakes Water Quality Society (LWQS) and other impacted parties. 

Ongoing nutrient removal from Rotorua lakes, including Lake Rotoiti, remains a longstanding personal commitment and high priority”.

Jude Pani

“I am aware of the serious deterioration of the Ōhau Diversion Wall and the impact this has on the water quality of Lake Rotoiti and the wider Te Arawa lakes. The protection of our lakes is vitally important – both for the health of our environment and the wellbeing of our communities who depend on them.

I support urgent action to address the failure of the Ōhau Diversion Wall. It is critical that the Bay of Plenty Regional Council works in partnership with iwi, local communities, and central government to ensure that a sustainable, well-funded, and effective solution is implemented without delay.

I recognise the concerns raised by the Lakes Water Quality Society and the Lake Rotoiti Community Association, and I support a collaborative approach that ensures the best possible outcome for our environment and our people.

You can count on my support to see this issue addressed with the urgency it deserves”.

Roana Bennett

“I am committed to fixing the diversion wall, with urgency. As a BOPRC asset, maintaining the wall and meeting the consent requirements are minimum expectations of the Regional Council”.