Volume One 15. Resource Quality (Water, Air, Soil) Issue 15C – The mauri of wai (water) has been degraded due to the lack of understanding about its spiritual significance. Mauri is the term used by Marlborough’s tangata whenua iwi to describe the cultural concept that all natural resources have a lifeforce. This lifeforce (called wairua) is derived from the physical attributes of the resource as well as the spiritual association iwi have with natural resources. Water is considered to be particularly significant to iwi in this regard as it sustains all life. Pap-t--nuku (Mother Earth) supports all people, flora and fauna, and waterbodies represent the blood vessels that supply nourishment to her, and through her, to all living things. Marlborough’s tangata whenua iwi feel that there is a lack of understanding in the community and by decision makers that water has wairua. It is their view that land and water are therefore used and managed in ways that do not recognise the spiritual significance of the resource. As a result, the point and non-point source discharge of contaminants to fresh and coastal water have adversely affected the mauri of water. Of particular concern is the impact of degraded water quality on the ability of each iwi to support traditional uses and values. Given the whakapapa link between Māori and water, waterbodies with poor or deteriorated quality are therefore a reflection of the health of the tangata whenua. Marlborough’s tangata whenua iwi wish to avoid making any waterbody waimate (where water quality becomes so degraded that it loses its mauri). Natural and human use values [RPS, R, C] Objective 15.1a – Maintain and where necessary enhance water quality in Marlborough’s rivers, lakes, wetlands, aquifers and coastal waters, so that: (a) the mauri of wai is protected; (b) water quality at beaches is suitable for contact recreation; (c) people can use the coast, rivers, lakes and wetlands for food gathering, cultural, commercial and other purposes; (d) groundwater quality is suitable for drinking; (e) the quality of surface water utilised for community drinking water supply remains suitable for drinking after existing treatment; and (f) coastal waters support healthy ecosystems. Marlborough’s coastal waters, rivers, lakes, wetlands and aquifers contain a diverse range of natural and human use values and are used extensively by the community. The existing water quality in the majority of our waterbodies is sufficient to support these values, but it is important that no degradation of water quality is allowed to occur. In addition to the national values addressed through Objectives 15.1b to 15.1e, the uses and values identified in (a) to (f) of the Objective 15.1a are the most susceptible to water quality degradation and are therefore appropriate water quality outcomes. Providing for these uses and values will, by default, also provide for other uses and values. Where water quality is no longer sufficient to sustain the values in (a) to (f), the objective identifies that water quality should be enhanced with the ultimate aim of restoring the uses and values that were once supported by these waterbodies. Positive trends have already been shown since the MRPS became operative, with a reduction in the number of point source discharges to water and remaining point source discharges operating with an improved level of treatment. The anticipated environmental results indicate that any enhancement should occur during the life of the MEP. It is acknowledged that there are 'natural' sources of water contamination and that little can be done to mitigate the subsequent adverse effects of this contamination. However, it is important to ensure that our activities do not worsen this situation. 15 – 7