The Tūwharetoa Māori Trust Board has given the green light for the 2024 Hydro Thunder Grand Prix and the NZ Offshore Powerboat racing to go ahead on Lake Taupō.
Initially the Trust Board withdrew its permission for the events to take place to protect the lake, its tributaries and outlet from the Golden Clam.
The event organisers re-submitted a biosecurity safety plan detailing how they would check, clean and dry every boat before coming to the Taupō region with particular regard to the clams.
The safety plan was then peer-reviewed by Biosecurity New Zealand (Ministry for Primary Industries) who then informed the Trust Board that the plan was sufficient and fit-for-purpose.
“We were confident in our decision to take the earlier actions as its important to put our taonga tuku iho, Taupō Moana first and foremost,” says Rakeipoho Taiaroa, the Trust Board’s chief executive.
“Now that there are effective measures that event operatiors can employ to mitigate the risks, we’ve given approval for these events to continue.“
Going forward, any event organisers operating on Taupō Waters are required to submit a biosecurity safety plan. This plan needs to utilise the best practices approved by Biosecurity New Zealand.
Any event which does not employ these best practices in their biosecurity plan will not get the go-ahead.
The Trust Board continues to call on all New Zealanders to do their part to protect Taupō Waters from the Golden Clam.
ENDS
QUESTIONS ABOUT THE GOLDEN CLAM
What CAN we do to prevent the spread of the Golden Clam?
- Comply with the Controlled Area Notices!
- Report any sightings of the Freshwater Clam using the embedded weblink or by calling 0800 80 99 66
- Tirohia, Horoia, Whakamarokengia (Check, Clean, Dry) all boats, wetsuits, fishing equipment when coming out of the Waikato River from the Whakamaru Dam to Te Puaha
- Be considerate of our river iwi whānau up the awa
Where can I get more information about the Golden Clam?
- See our first statement on the Golden Clam
- See our second statement on the Golden Clam
- See our statement regarding the CANs on the Golden Clam
- See the MPI webpage about the Golden Clam
What is the jurisdiction of Tūwharetoa Māori Trust Board on Lake Taupō?
The Tūwharetoa Māori Trust Board is the legal entity which holds the title for Lake Taupō, the Waikato River up to Te Toka a Tia and several of the lake’s tributaries. Collectively these taonga are called “Taupō Waters”. These titles for these taonga are held by the Trust Board on behalf of Ngāti Tūwharetoa iwi.
photo credit: Taupō district council