The Advocates for the Tongariro River is a group dedicated to fight for the future of one of New Zealand’s most significant rivers.

The Advocates was established in 2002 and aims to be recognised as an informed, balanced and authoritative group, seeking to sustain and enhance the Tongariro River for future generations.

One of the Advocates’ first tasks was to lobby for a management plan to be put in place for the River.  In 2002 the Advocates presented a ‘Submission on the State of the River’ to the Parliamentary Select Committee for Local Government and the Environment.  The Submission was in two parts – the first part described the present state of the River against its cultural significance and recreational value and the second part dealt with remedial action.  The Submission was accompanied by a petition signed by 600 people all of whom were dismayed and angry at the present state of the Tongariro River.

It was this commitment to make a difference and dedication to their cause and their community that won The Advocates for the Tongariro River the Supreme Award at the TrustPower Taupo Community Awards in 2003.  The Advocates then attended the TrustPower National Community Awards in March 2004.

The Advocates for the Tongariro River President Heather Macdonald says they gained a lot from their involvement in the TrustPower Community Awards.

“Since our success in the TrustPower Community Awards we are being taken much more seriously.  We are able to do a lot more sitting around the table and discussing issues, and getting positive outcomes from that.

“The TrustPower Community Awards also gave our team a great morale boost and reinforced in us the importance of keeping on doing what we were doing,” says Heather.

There is no doubt that the Advocates have kept on doing what they do….plus more!

Since the TrustPower Community Awards the Advocates have been busier than ever fighting for the health of the river, especially with the threat of Didymo (Didymosphenia geminata).

Thanks to the Advocates’ lobbying, a management plan is now in place for the river and a river management forum has been established, which involves people who have a role in managing or using the river such as the Department of Conservation (DoC), Environment Waikato, local iwi and Genesis Energy.

Heather says they are not completely happy with the management plan as it does not specify the actions Environment Waikato will take, but they’re “working with it”.

But foremost in the mind of the Advocates is Didymo – an invasive alga which has been found in 48 South Island rivers.  The Advocates are trying to raise public awareness to prevent Didymo spreading to the North Island.

To achieve that, the Advocates have funded and erected signage around the Tongariro River and have paid to print and distribute 4,000 brochures around Taupo and Turangi informing people of the part they can play to prevent Didymo reaching the North Island.  The Advocates funded radio advertising campaigns and held public meetings to raise awareness of the economical impact Didymo could have on the area.  As a result a group has been established led by DoC with representatives from other stakeholders, to put actions in place to prevent Didymo spreading North.

The Advocates have also taken their fight to Wellington, with some Wellington members recently meeting with senior officials from DoC and bio-security to urge for stronger leadership and for more tools to be put in place to fight this invasive alga. 

“Appealing to the public’s good nature is not enough.  We need regulatory controls to curb the threat of Didymo such as amendments to the fishing licence and further boarder controls” says Heather.

Another major project taken on by the Advocates is the Planting for the Future project.  This involves the Advocates working with DoC and the community to plant the parts of the riverbank managed by DoC.  The first stage of this project was completed last year.  This planting will provide cover for trout and will strengthen the riverbank, after noxious plants such as blackberry, broom and honeysuckle have been cleared.

The Advocates also received funding from the Waikato Conservation Environmental and Ecological Enhancement Trust to buy hundreds of native plants which have been planted along the riverbank to regenerate native bush and also to provide fish cover.

From its small beginnings in 2002 the Advocates for the Tongariro River now has members all around New Zealand and the world.  With a membership of 120 households and 220 individuals, it is obvious that there are hundreds of people out there who share the Advocates aim of protecting the River.

“We have a real passion for the River and believe that we have to keep people aware of the issues that could possibly destroy it if we don’t take action,” says Heather.

For more information the Advocates for the Tongariro River contact Heather Macdonald on 07 386 6501 or email her on heather@turangi-nz.co.nz .