Rotorua’s Controversial Sewerage Pipeline Returns to Court

The construction of a contentious sewerage pipeline near Lake Tarawera in Rotorua is set to return to the High Court on December 1, 2025. The Rotokākahi Board of Control (RBOC) is challenging the Rotorua Lakes Council over the Tarawera Sewage Scheme, which aims to connect approximately 440 properties around Lake Tarawera to the public wastewater network. This scheme has sparked significant debate due to its proximity to Lake Rotokākahi, an area regarded as wāhi tapu by local mana whenua, with ancestral burial sites linked to the catastrophic 1886 Mt Tarawera eruption.

The proposal has faced numerous interruptions, including protests and an occupation of the construction site, resulting in seven arrests for trespass in February 2025. RBOC spokesperson Te Whatanui Leka Skipwith expressed frustration over what they perceive as a lack of genuine consultation by the council. According to Skipwith, the council’s actions have forced the matter into legal proceedings. “We welcome our day in court—because we’ve had enough. Council has ignored consultation, disrespected the process, and pulled last-minute legal stunts whenever we pushed back,” Skipwith stated.

The Rotorua Lakes Council is advocating for the project, asserting that it will eliminate the reliance on septic tanks, which often leak into Lake Tarawera. Andrew Moraes, chief executive of the council, emphasized that similar pipelines installed throughout the district have not experienced any leaks. “We have almost 20 km of pipe throughout the district of similar type and construction that is installed a similar distance from our other lakes and we’ve had no incidences of those pipes leaking in the history of this district,” Moraes explained in a statement to RNZ.

The upcoming High Court hearing represents a crucial opportunity for the RBOC to present its case on neutral ground, challenging the council’s decisions. Skipwith emphasized the importance of respecting the legal obligations related to consultation and decision-making processes involving mana whenua. “This is a chance for mana whenua to finally challenge the council… and to make it clear that we will always protect Rotokākahi, no matter who tries to silence us,” she added.

This legal battle follows a previous unsuccessful attempt by the RBOC to halt the pipeline’s construction in the Environment Court. As the situation unfolds, the Rotorua Lakes Council has refrained from commenting, citing the ongoing legal proceedings.

As the community awaits the court’s decision, the implications of this case extend beyond the immediate concerns of infrastructure and environmental impact; they touch on the broader themes of consultation, respect for indigenous rights, and community engagement in local governance.