FMC opposes discharging waste into the Whangaehu River

UPDATE 3 April 2026: We’ve now learned that Winstone Pulp is preparing a significantly amended application, which we understand will likely include reduced discharges and possible new treatment approaches. This is due 30 April.

FMC opposes the Winstone Pulp International Limited resource consent application to enable the discharge of treated pulp mill wastewater, stormwater and a foam inhibitor to the Whangaehu River.

Our reasons are outlined below:

1. The river is of significant recreational value for whitewater paddlers.

• The Whangaehu river is a well-known section of Grade 3 whitewater which is frequented by paddlers. It would be considered regionally significant in terms of recreational whitewater use. It features in multiple guidebooks, and is also featured on Whitewater New Zealand’s online River Guide1 and on Packrafting Trips NZ2.
• Whitewater paddling will often result in participants being immersed in the river, including their head going underwater. “Swims” or “rolls” generally happen with little notice, so it is not unusual for a paddler to consume river water when this happens.
• The “put in” for paddlers is approximately 10km downstream from the discharge point. There are no significant tributaries between the discharge point and the put-in point.
• We conclude that paddlers may be subject to increased health risks from the discharge. Furthermore, there is a significant “ick” factor in the knowledge that people would be recreating in waste discharge.

2. The unique nature of the river

• The Whangaehu river flows from the crater lake on Mount Ruapehu. It is the only river in New Zealand that flows from a volcanic lake all the way to the ocean and this makes it a unique and coveted river for paddlers.

3. Environmental concerns

• The Whangaehu river ecological systems are already under pressure from adjoining land use and runoff. We have significant concerns around the impact the approval of this consent would have on further degradation of the river and its ecological systems.

4. We understand that Ngati Rangi have opposed the consent. It is not our place to
comment on matters relating to the cultural significance of the river, but we support
their submission.

You can see our submission here.