3 September 2025

Can successful candidates deliver more action for harbour health?

When it comes to improving stream and harbour health local body candidates talk a big game but are mostly light on specifics around resourcing and timeframes.

A survey of local body candidates within the catchments covered by the Porirua Harbour has shown a good appreciation of the issues faced and challenges to overcome in bringing improvements to stream and harbour health.   

The survey of 62 candidates for relevant positions in the Wellington City Council, Porirua City Council and Greater Wellington Regional Council  yielded 29 responses – a good response rate for a survey of this type.

Most candidates identified sedimentation, contaminated stormwater, and waste water from broken pipes and overflows as the main contributors to degraded water quality.

The solutions were readily identified as more native plants to absorb pollution and filter sediment, fixing wastewater pipes, upgrading pump stations, more
detention tanks and constructed wetlands and better controls on new property developments.

“It was good to see knowledge of the recently signed Pairirua Harbour Accord and agreement that clear action plans, well implemented and with quarterly
reporting on progress was required,” said Michael Player, the Chair of the Te Awarua-o-Porirua Harbour and Catchments Community Trust.

“One candidate even picked up that the Accord promised implementation plans within six months of the February signing and that the deadline had been missed.

“A noticeable omission from candidate responses was how solutions might be financed other than pressing the new Metro Water entity or pleading to central
government to make the Harbour Accord a priority.

“It is to be hoped that sufficient numbers of candidates with a determination to see generalisations turn into actions get elected and deliver on their aspirations during their three year term,” said Mr Player.