Most of us who live in the Mahurangi region are well aware of the ongoing challenges faced by oyster farmers because of multiple significant sewage spills into Mahurangi Harbour. Watercare’s sewerage network in Warkworth is infiltrated with stormwater following rainfall, resulting in overflows into the Mahurangi River and the wider harbour. When these spills reach the oyster farms, the oysters can become contaminated by harmful bacteria and viruses.

Oyster farmers are forced to close for up to 28 days after any new spill to allow the oysters to cleanse. Because of these ongoing spills, no oyster harvesting has been permitted since the harvesting season began in April. That means they have had no income since December.

Auckland is known for its oyster farms and the Mahurangi Harbour plays a big part in that. There are more than 100 hectares of oyster farms in the area, which bring income, jobs and opportunities into the community and region.

As the Under-Secretary for Oceans and Fisheries, under Minister Shane Jones, I am focused on supporting our aquaculture and fisheries industries to sustainably grow. We’re committed to doing what is within our power to help these oyster farmers.

To date, I have been in frequent contact with the farmers and supported them during their meeting with Watercare last month. Disappointingly, Watercare cancelled this month’s face-to-face meeting. Why cancel? This is unclear but it looks like it has suffered “bureaucratic capture” following a group of farmers presenting to Auckland Council’s governing body to highlight their plight.

Council is the regulator and appears to be taking a hands-off approach to this issue. If any other company or individual discharged pollution into a waterway they would be penalised.

The problem of sewage spills into Mahurangi Harbour must be addressed urgently, it is not just an oyster farmer problem, but goes to the wider issue of public health and safety.

In their latest communication, in lieu of a meeting, Watercare is indicating it has magically found a way to expedite the works programme, this after continual pressure to urgently get spades in the ground.

An interim solution will start shortly by installing a larger pipe across the Elizabeth Street Bridge, but this temporary fix will only reduce the spills by 50 per cent. It also states they have now found a way to shave two years off the completion of the upgrades to the entire sewerage network. Magical!

However, not a dime for the oyster farmers! Minister Jones is “astounded that this colossus will not step up to the plate and offer financial compensation to these marine farmers”.

Following my meeting with Local Government Minister Simon Watts, officials at the Department of Internal Affairs have been instructed to engage with Watercare about the issue and resolve it as soon as possible. Minister Watts has also met with Watercare’s chief executive. Perhaps this helped with Watercare’s magical new works timeline?

Recently, I met with Aquaculture NZ and Seafood NZ to explore support options, and this work is ongoing including accessing FirstMate, a mental health support service for those in the seafood sector. I have also facilitated a meeting between the oyster farmers and Ngāti Manuhiri Settlement Trust.

Following this, the trust CEO and chair raised the issue with Watercare and made it clear that the ongoing spills are unacceptable.

There’s still a way to go before this issue is resolved. New Zealand First has long been a strong advocate for aquaculture, and any attempts to drive this industry out of the Mahurangi will be opposed.

Minister Jones and I are committed to getting some good news for our oyster farmers soon. I’m looking forward to enjoying a local oyster, fresh from the sea this season, and into the future.

This opinion piece written by New Zealand First list MP Jenny Marcroft was originally published in Mahurangi Matters on 7 July 2025: https://www.localmatters.co.nz/opinion/viewpoint-supporting-our-oyster-farmers/