A much-awaited hui to discuss water issues in the region is underway in Havelock North - where an unprecedented water contamination last year thrust these issues into the national spotlight.
Nearly 30 speakers will address the public symposium, being held today and tomorrow at the Peak Vision Church, Te Mata Mangateretere Road, Havelock North.
The symposium was announced last December by Hawke's Bay Regional Council chairman Rex Graham, Hastings Mayor Lawrence Yule and Ngati Kahungunu Iwi Incorporated chairman Ngahiwi Tomoana, who would jointly convene the event.
Although Hawke's Bay's water issues were of public concern well before, it was the Havelock North water contamination in August last year which thrust the issue into the spotlight, and sparked the call for today's hui.
The two-day symposium intends to cover a "kaleidoscope" of water issues such as public concern about water bottling plants, groundwater management on the Heretaunga Plains, and the TANK process regarding the Heretaunga aquifer.
It will also consider the findings of the Government Inquiry into the Havelock North water contamination outbreak, which were released last month.
A large crowd has turned out for the event, held at Peak Vision church in Havelock North, as well as staff, and councillors from both councils.
In his opening adress, Mr Yule said he hoped the next two days would provide the best information, and data to those gathered, so the public understanding of the resource of water, and how it could be managed better in future.
"Some of these things will be confronting for all of us, but only by understanding what's going on can we manage these things better," he said.
This was echoed by his co-convener Mr Graham, who said Hawke's Bay needed to work to ensure its economy ran in harmony with its environment, which had been highlighted by the Havelock North contamination.
"We've had a dreadful crisis in our community which we all have to share responsibility [for]. No one person was to blame, a whole bunch of people share in responsibility of what happened, and we have to face that," he said.
"We have to face other things that we've taken for granted in the past and can't take for granted in the future.
"That will be hard for some people, because some of the activities which we've taken for granted no longer are suitable around water."
Today's discussion will cover water being a taonga, challenges around freshwater management on the Heretaunga Plains, and water quality and its consequences for human health.
- For all the details including the full programme see hastingsdc.govt.nz/watersymposium