Outcome of Te Kuha water conservation reserve assessment workshop

Buller District councillors held a workshop yesterday afternoon to discuss future provisions for the Te Kuha water conservation reserve.

Westport and Carters Beach’s drinking water is supplied from surface water collected from this local purpose water conservation reserve, located in the hills above Westport.

In May 2025, council received a letter from Stevenson Mining Ltd (Stevenson), the project co-ordinator and proposed mine operator of the Te Kuha Mine, asking whether all the Westport water conservation reserve is required for that purpose.

Chief Executive Officer Simon Pickford says: “In June 2025, council resolved that staff evaluate Stevenson’s request in more detail and report back, commissioning an independent assessment (paid for by Stevenson) to enable it to promptly respond to the matter. Council has liaised with Ngāti Waewae and Stevenson as part of this process.”

A thorough assessment was conducted, that identified:

•    The current location where water is extracted on the South Branch of Giles Creek is insufficient to meet Westport’s immediate water supply needs.

•    That without additional mitigation measures, the catchments north of the Jones/Ballarat Creek catchment boundary with Coal Creek used currently, historically, or in an emergency do not have the capacity to meet future demand; and

•    The additional water conservation reserve is needed to provide for risk mitigation and management.

Mr Pickford explains: “Issues with the current consent conditions were identified, including that the quantity of water taken from the South Branch of Giles Creek is regularly exceeded.

“Letters have been sent to Ngāti Waewae and the West Coast Regional Council regarding consent issues that were identified through this assessment.”

The next step is to take a paper to the 17 December council meeting for a decision.

Works to reinstall a water take from the North Branch of Giles Creek to meet current needs are already identified within the Buller District Council Long-Term Plan 2025-2034 and are currently in the planning phase.

-ENDS-

For further information please contact:
Community Engagement Team
Buller District Council
Media.Enquiries@bdc.govt.nz 

Disclaimer
The information in this media release was correct at time of publication. Changes in circumstances after the time of publication may impact on the accuracy of the information.