Kohukohu Resource Consent Renewal

Resource Consent Renewal Process

In 2016, the Far North District Council applied to the Northland Regional Council (NRC) for resource consents for the following activities:

• To discharge treated wastewater to an unnamed tributary of the Hokianga Harbour;

• To discharge contaminants to ground from an oxidation pond and a surface low wetland; and

• To discharge contaminants to air.

The Kohukohu resource consent renewal application was publicly notified on 22 August 2022.

The hearing of this application commenced in conjunction with the Ōpononi/Ōmāpere resource consents on Monday 15th May 2023 at the Rāwene Town Hall. On the 29th November 2023, Independent Hearing Commissioners for Northland Regional Council issued their decision to grant the Far North District Council’s resource consent application for the activities associated with the operation of the Kohukohu Wastewater Treatment Plant for a duration of 3 years.

Click here for the combined report and decision of independent Hearing Commissioners.

There were no appeals for the Kohukohu WWTP resource consent application and the appeal period ended 11 January 2024. Therefore, the commencement date is 12 January 2024 and the expiry date is 29 November 2026.

FNDC is working with community and hapu to form a community liaison group. The group will be involved in identifying alternative treatment and discharge options including discharge to land. FNDC acknowledges the cultural significance of the Hokianga Harbour and the aspiration to remove wastewater discharges to water.