Green Party leader James Shaw said the struggle of local hapu to protect the Poroti Springs from exploitation by water sellers - and the despair of watching the resource diminish for various reasons - is mirrored all over New Zealand.
Mr Shaw, Green Party MP Marama Davidson and Whangarei candidate Ash Holwell visited Maungarongo Marae yesterday to meet Whatitiri Maori Reserves Trust members, representing three hapu, Te Uriroroi, Te Parawhau and Te Mahurehure.
The trust has objected to the effects of water extraction from above and below the springs for decades, trustee Hona Edwards said.
He said the water "was being stolen" and the trust was "devastated" that a private company, Zodiac Holdings New Zealand Spring Water brand, had a 35-year permit to take millions of litres a year.
While other people benefited from using the water, the hapu had accumulated "books" of documentation from dealing with local government, the Waitangi Tribunal and other authorities, trust members told the Green Party contingent.
Donna Edwards spoke with great emotion about the demise of the springs in her lifetime.
She described the richness of the watercress, the tuna (eels) and kewai (freshwater crays), the purity and depth of the springs and their mana.
"Water is life," she said tearfully.
"I cry for my moko and their future, because they can't see what I saw."
Mr Shaw acknowledged the work the Whatitiri trust had done to protect the Poroti water.
"The Green Party really stands with you, particularly concerning the free water being shipped off overseas."
He said the Green Party wanted the issuing of water consents to stop.
The Greens launched a water policy last month which would put a 10c per litre charge on water bottlers and exporters, and a moratorium on new water bottling consents.
It would also create a funding pool for small communities and marae to upgrade or maintain their water treatment services.
Mr Shaw said the country needed to "get our act together".
"John Key always used to say 'no one owns the water'. In a sense that's true, but we do have rights and responsibilities over it."
The whole of New Zealand "has to have a conversation", including about the role of the Waitangi Treaty in the water issue, he said.
Ms Davidson said the water issue was now being picked up by all parties but it had been on the Greens agenda for 20 years.
■ Poroti Springs feature story on pages 2 and 3, 48 Hours.