Rāhui to be lifted following significant weather events

A rāhui placed along the entire northern coastline of the top of the South Island after significant weather events will be lifted from today.

The rāhui was put in place on 20 August by the Iwi Emergency Management Rōpū, with the support of the eight iwi of Te Tauihu.

It prevented people entering the water or gathering kaimoana across the coastlines, river mouths, and floodwaters from Te Parinui o Whiti (the White Bluffs) in the east, to Kahurangi Point in the west.

Iwi Emergency Management Rōpū tikanga pou lead Barney Thomas said the main purpose of a rāhui was to protect the people and the environment.

“The heavy rain we received late last month resulted in numerous sewage overflows and sustained runoff into the ocean and rivers, so this is about saying, let’s take the time for things to be safe, let’s respect what has happened and do what we can to keep people healthy and well.”

Thomas said the decision to lift the rāhui was based on a combination of scientific evidence and mātauranga Māori.

It will be lifted in the Marlborough region today and in Nelson and Tasman on Tuesday.

Flood waters ripped open the road in Devenish Place, Atawhat, just north of Nelson
Photo: RNZ / Angus Dreaver

However the public health advice is that people wanting to collect shellfish should wait a bit longer before doing so.

Te Whatu Ora – Nelson Marlborough advises that wild shellfish should not be collected until 28 days after the last significant rainfall.

In Marlborough and Tasman, that advice expires on 16 September and in the Nelson area on 25 September.

This includes mussels, oysters, tuatua, pipi, toheroa, cockles, scallops, catseyes and all other bi-valve shellfish.

Other marine species including fish, crayfish, crab, kina and paua are considered unaffected because they are not filter feeders.

Whitebaiters are encouraged to wash both their catch and their hands in fresh water or under the tap at home to avoid the risk of cross-contamination in the kitchen.

Anyone experiencing illness after contact with water or eating food should consult their GP or Healthline on 0800 611 116.