Hapu says it won't accept fracking in rohe

The Kanihi/Umutahi hapu of Ngaruahine in the Kapuni basin is adamant that fracking is unacceptable in their rohe because no one can give them an assurance that it is safe.

And until they can, the hapu will continue to oppose the practice.

Since 1993 when fracking began, the Ngaruahine people had never been consulted, until now.

Mere Brooks of Okahu/Inuawai said the hapu had held many hui and at each the opposition to fracking in their rohe was unanimous.

"We have opposed the noise resource consent application to the South Taranaki District Council - the noise was due to the fracking [but] the fracking resource consent was already granted by the Taranaki Regional Council without our input or notification."

Hydraulic fracturing or fracking (also known as fraccing) is a process in which liquids laced with chemicals are pumped into the ground at high pressure to force oil to the surface.

Shell-Todd Oil Services (STOS) have applied for a noise consent only in the Kapuni Basin to redrill, but two weeks ago went to the hapu with its people to explain the fracking method.

"They brought a sand mix along with the chemical they used and told us it was safe. They also brought a huge diagram to explain the technique. It does not matter what they say; if you are against it, you are against it."

The drilling is a non-notified consent, but because the hapu objected, it then became a notified consent.

Ngaruahine chief executive Daisy Noble said STOS began drilling its first two wells near Tempsky Rd in the Kapuni Basin in 1967, and its non-notified fracking practices had upset the entire water table.

She said her cousin lived along from these sites and recalled how they had to put a new water line through that area because of the contamination.

"In the early years, all the water on the farm was considered unacceptable to drink. People broke out in rashes and my grandparents went to the Taranaki District Council."

Ms Noble said a water line that connected to the Hawera supply was put in because the TDC knew the groundwater was affected.

However, Taranaki Regional Council resource management director Fred McLay says the groundwater was affected by nitrates from dairy farming, and said the waterline was a "precautionary measure".

Four hapu are affected in the region: Kanihi/Umutahi and Okahu/Inuawai, who are against fracking, Ngatito, who won't engage with STOS, and Ngati Manuheakai, who consented to the noise but opposed fracking.