Cleaning up Pūniu River

www.environment.govt.nz

06 April 2021

Once a rich source of freshwater kai and a favourite swimming spot for local people, Pūniu river is now heavily polluted. Water is not safe to swim in, river banks are eroding and the tuna population has plummeted. Local marae, landowners and the Waikato Regional Council are working together to clean up this awa, restore tuna habitat and improve biodiversity.

“The Ministry for the Environment's Freshwater Improvement Fund, they've supported us by providing us $740,000 over a 5 year period” Shannon Te Huia

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