Te Ao Māori
The now–drained plains of the lower catchment were once part of a large wetland taonga (treasure) that was prized by Ngai Tamarawaho.
Ngāi Tamarāwaho have occupied the area for centuries and are kaitiaki of the land and waters within. The Ngāi Tamarāwaho hapū management plan (PDF 8.73MB) outlines a co-operative approach to environmental and resource management within the rohē.
Current water quality issues
In the catchment there are three major contributors of sediment and phosphates. These are coming from storm water runoff from farm and forestry activities, stream bank erosion and from urbanisation in the lower catchment. The high volumes of sediment in the water mean that the catchment falls within the top 5% of worst sites sampled in the Bay of Plenty.
Livestock access to a stream or wetland, degrades water quality by increasing faecal matter (E.coli) and sediment in the waterway. Consistently medium – high levels of E.coli concentrations are of concern – particularly for those who use the kayak gates in Judea.
Water quality monitoring
A combined effort between Bay of Plenty Regional Council, Tauranga City Council and Western Bay of Plenty District Council saw a 12-month monitoring plan started in May 2019 to better understand the high sediment and E.coli water quality issues in the catchment.
For the latest test results go to: Kopurererua Web Portal