Since 2022, we've been conducting monthly water quality tests on six sub-catchment streams that feed into Taurekaitai (Pōrangahau River) as part of our commitment to freshwater health.

Taurekaitai has been recorded by Hawke’s Bay Regional Council as having one of the highest rates of sediment contamination in Aotearoa New Zealand, impacting heavily on water and ecosystem health. This level of contamination also represents an enormous erosion of natural capital and farm resilience, in the form of soil loss.

The presence of sediment in the water means that there are high levels of other, harmful substances, specifically phosphorous and E.coli bacteria. These contaminants make the water unsafe for drinking, mahinga kai (food gathering), and recreational activities.

Freshwater Monitoring

Since 2022, we've been conducting monthly water quality tests on six sub-catchment streams that feed into Taurekaitai (Pōrangahau River) as part of our commitment to freshwater health.