Houseboating Adventures - Issue 20 - (Page 32)

point near the seaward end of the river further north to Auckland. This is somewhat purified and used for a portion of the city's domestic water supply. Another problem is the silting-up of what used to be a navigable channel in the river with loose soils from eroded hillsides. Slightly-modified human wastes are pumped into the river down-river of several towns including Hamilton. A further issue is industrial and metropolitan waste from early-established landfills and waste-emitting factories on the banks of the river. These include an unlined waste dump at Horotiu, just down-river from Hamilton, whose leachates include dieldrin in quantities toxic to fresh-water marine life. Tribes at the northern point of the river who took legal action to oppose the continued operation of this dump spoke of finding many dead, disordered and distressed fish near their tribal lands. END> The Waikato River has spiritual meaning for various local Ma-ori tribes including the large Tainui, who regard it as a source of their mana or pride. The widely-respected marae of Turangawaewae is close to its banks at Ngaruawahia. For many years Tainui tribe have sought to re-establish their links to the river after the wars and the subsequent illegal confiscations of the 1860's, and are continuing negotiations with the current New Zealand government. The river was of military significance in the land wars between British and Ma-ori soldiers around 1863, and significant battles were fought at points including Rangiriri. A pleasant cemetery containing the graves of the British military dead can be found there opposite the hotel, shops and cafe. A ferry service along part of its length was for years conducted by Cesar Roose, several of whose descendants still live beside it. The Waikato is renowned among whitewater kayak enthusiasts, specifically for the Full James rapid located north of Taupo. The Full James was the site of the 1999 World Whitewater Championships, as well as the preWorld event the year before. Environmental issues The whole length of the river is administered by the elected local body the Waikato Regional Council, or "Environment Waikato", based in Hamilton. Several major problems currently face the river. One is pollution due to agricultural additives found in runoff from some intensively farmed land used in its catchment area. Dairy farming is one of the causes of this pollution. Recently controversial was the pumping of water from a )6B@" A05("%C&5AB9&@ The Waikato’s problems are increased by the warming of the river by Huntly Power Station, thickened by fertilizers and leachates from rubbish dumps, pumped into orchards and farms for irrigation, and drunk by 140,000 people.

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Houseboating Adventures - Issue 20

Houseboating Adventures - Issue 20 Editor's Desk Info Houseboating Accessories Guide to Brokers & Dealers Job PROfile - State Dock's Sheila Helm World News New Zealand Launches New Houseboat Industry Job PROfile - Sumerset's Dave Corbin DreamBoats - Stardust's "Toy Garage", Sumerset's Wild at Heart II, Gibson's DreaManner Adventure Guide

Houseboating Adventures - Issue 20

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