Waitangi commemorations come with health warning

Jumping from the bridge has been a regular part of celebrations in years past but this time will be different. Photo / Northern Advocate

This year's official Waitangi Day commemorations in the Bay of Islands will be a bit different - they come with a health warning.

Shellfish is off the menu, people will be told to avoid swimming, and even waka paddlers will have to wash their hands and shower after taking part in ceremonies.

Northland Medical Officer of Health Clair Mills yesterday issued a health advisory because of unusually high levels of faecal contamination in the Bay.

The advisory warns people not to eat shellfish from inner harbour and coastal areas around Northland for the next 28 days because of possible contamination.

Dr Mills said the warning was particularly relevant for the Bay of Islands because thousands were expected there this weekend for Waitangi Day commemorations - last year about 50,000 people attended.

She said the storm last weekend that dumped record amounts of rain, led to several sewage spills and caused massive amounts of farm effluent and run-off and septic tanks to overflow.

"All that ends up in the sea. We do not want people eating shellfish contaminated by floodwaters as this could make them extremely unwell. It is also a good idea to avoid eating flounder and mullet," Dr Mills said.

Testing since the weekend had shown unusually high levels of faecal contamination in the Bay and Dr Mills said people should also avoid swimming.

But with about 20 waka expected to take part in Waitangi Day commemorations, she said anyone who had to go in or on the water should thoroughly shower and wash their hands as soon as they got out.

The warning has angered Te Tii Marae spokesman Kingi Taurua, who said the marae had removed all seafood from its meals this weekend.

"We are very disappointed and angry about this. Seafood is such a big part of our way. We rely on our kai moana cupboard to feed our guests and this will disrupt our plans," Mr Taurua said.

"We can't take the risk of making guests and locals sick so we are not feeding anybody seafood on the marae this weekend."

He said the decision might reflect badly on Ngapuhi, particularly with many visitors from around the country and overseas being hosted at the marae. Northland's seafood was known around the country and Mr Taurua was worried about how it would look to visitors.

"Some of our people are very poor and depend on the sea to eat and this will probably put yet another problem on those people," Mr Taurua said.

"Seafood is part of Ngapuhi hospitality, but not this weekend."

He said the local authorities and health board needed to examine what could be done to prevent such a vital food source from being off limits again.

Mr Taurua said waka festival organisers had been advised of the health warning.

Waitangi National Trust chairman Pita Paraone said the shellfish ban wouldn't affect preparations at the upper marae, but it was a concern, along with the warning not to swim.

"That will be an issue if it's a warm day and a large number of people, particularly the young ones, will want to get into the Bay to cool down. I think it then becomes very incumbent on Northland District Health Board and Far North District Council to ensure the dangers are well advertised," Mr Paraone said.

"It's a wise decision by Te Tii Marae [not to serve any seafood] and to many people it will actually enhance Ngapuhi's reputation as it will show their concerns for the health and well-being of guests are paramount. It's a large sacrifice to make as seafood is an important part of our lives," he said.

Far North District Council spokesman Rick McCall renewed health warnings against swimming or the taking of seafood from rivers or the inner harbours of the Bay of Islands.

Council spokeswoman Alison Lees said: "It is not feasible to erect signs covering every harbour in the district.

"In the Bay of Islands, however, there is a sign at Te Haumi and two have been put up near Te Tii Marae - one on the Sugarboat side of the bridge and one the other side."