More sewage spills in the Bay of Islands

Two more spills from sewage pump stations in the Bay of Islands were confirmed yesterday as 26 oyster farms in Orongo Bay and the Upper Waikare Inlet sit out a 56-day harvesting ban.

The latest overflows follow a controlled spill from Kawakawa and an accidental discharge at Russell that led to the closure of the oyster farms.

Far North District Council spokesman Rick McCall said a pump station overflow at the Kawakawa treatment station yesterday afternoon had resulted in a spill of raw sewage.

A second, minor spill of less than 1cu m occurred at Te Haumi, on the coast between Paihia and Opua.

Further details were awaited on both spills.