Aquatic ecosystem threat highlighted at Mokihinui River

Green Party MP Metiria Turei rafted the West Coast’s Mokihinui River on Tuesday to get a first hand look at could be lost if Meridian's proposed 85m-high dam gets the go-ahead.
The proposed dam will create a 14km long lake, drowning 330 hectares of virgin rainforest.

“The trip down the Mokihinui reinforced my view that Meridian's proposal to dam this river is simply an act of ecological vandalism,” Mrs Turei says.

“This river is quintessentially wild and ecologically special - the type of river that captures the imagination of New Zealanders. It is sacrilege to destroy this gorge and ecosystems.

“I was very privileged to share the trip with ecologists, geologists, photographers, and local eco-tourism operators, all of whom emerged more passionate and determined to save this river.

“This dam will destroy the habitat of several species of flora and fauna, many of which are endangered or whose numbers are decreasing. There can be no reparation or mitigation for the destruction of this unique environment.

“The artificial lake will drown the important habitat for endangered whio (blue duck).

“Another species found in the river is the long-finned eel. I was delighted when a large inquisitive eel came to investigate us while we had lunch beside a deep green pool. Long-finned eels are at serious risk of extinction from the destruction of their habitat, and even Meridian acknowledges that this dam will impact on their numbers in the Mokihinui.

“Meridian says that the proposed Mokihinui dam will generate renewable energy, but are our wild ecologically-precious rivers renewable? Is causing the further decline of a species like the long-finned eel renewable?
“New Zealanders accept the need for energy generation from renewable sources, but will not trade off our most valued natural biodiversity and landscapes for it,” Mrs Turei says.