24/08/2021: WASTEWATER TESTING FOR COVID IN THE FAR NORTH DISTRICT:

Kia ora koutou. This issue was raised with FNDC by Ngati Kahu and Te Hiku Social Accord during a Te Kahu o Taonui (Taitokerau Iwi Chairs Forum) zoom yesterday. We have now received a response from FNDC confirming that:
1. They had arranged COVID sampling at the Kaitaia, Kerikeri and Paihia wastewater treatment plants as soon as the lockdown began - results have been negative to date;
2. They were arranging to add the Russell, Kawakawa and Kaikohe plants to the sampling regime yesterday;
3. They have decided today to arrange sampling at ALL the plants across the entire district - including Whatuwhiwhi, Taipa and Hihi in the Tokerau (Doubtless Bay) area. These samples will be taken today and couriered to ESR first thing tomorrow morning.
4. The results will be made publicly available.
Although this sampling won’t cover septic and other waste systems not connected to the Council treatment plants, it will cover most of the holiday homes and baches containing problematic outsiders who turn up every time a lockdown is announced.
Also, although COVID sampling will not prevent the virus from arriving in our rohe, it gives an earlier headsup of its presence, and is another resource in the toolkit to combat the virus’ spread. For more information on wastewater testing for COVID, click the link below.
https://www.health.govt.nz/our-work/diseases-and-conditions/covid-19-nov...
Pai te patai me te mahitahi. Nga mihi.
Anahera Herbert-Graves (Chief Executive)
TE RUNANGA A IWI O NGATI KAHU