What's happening at Rāwene?

The Rāwene Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP) is operated by the council serving of population of approximately 590. It also receives septage from the surrounding communities. The plant is consented to treat up to 250 cubic meters of wastewater per day which is then discharged into the Hokianga Harbour.

Who is the Rāwene Working Group?

Te Mauri o te Wai (TMOTW) is a hapū-led group that includes representatives of Ngāti Hau, Ngāti Kaharau, Te Hikutū, Te Māhurehure, Ngāi Tupoto, and the Rāwene community. For more information on TMOTW go to our Te Ao Māori webpage.

TMOTW and staff from Far North District Council (FNDC), in collaboration, are the Rāwene Working Group on this transformation project.

What is the problem at Rāwene WWTP?

The current site of the Rāwene treatment plant is known locally as Te Raupo. This land is considered to be a culturally significant place by Hokianga hapū. It is also considered unacceptable by local hapū to have human waste being released into the habour.

One of the goals of TMOTW is to relocate the plant from this site. Until a new site is found, the aim of the working group is to improve the wastewater treatment process for Rāwene and remove human waste from Te Raupo.

What is the Rāwene Wastewater Treatment Transformation Project?

The transformation project will install an alternative system for discharging treated wastewater. This project is a collaboration between local hapū, the community, and the council who make up the project working group.

The most viable alternative that emerged as a result of the transformation project is a process called electrocoagulation (EC). This process removes suspended solids, and other contaminants from wastewater such as phosphorus, nitrates and ammonia. The sludge produced after the EC process might even be suitable as a garden fertiliser, with the water able to be returned to land (Discharge to Land). Electrocoagulation is also being trialed at the Taipā WWTP too.

The system in Rāwene will be powered largely by solar energy, making it a sustainable cost effective and environmentally friendly option.

For information about electrocoagulation go to  'What is EC' section of this website.