{"blocks":[{"id":"oeXQQDCKZc","type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"The Whanganui River has great intrinsic, cultural and recreational value. However, over the last century the water quality and appearance of the river has degraded, mainly due to increased sediment load from farmland, land which was previously bush. The catchment is steep and unstable and heavy rainfall often triggers slips. Flow in the Whanganui River is also reduced by water extraction by the Tongariro Power Scheme which diverts flow from head-water rivers for electricity generation.

As part of the process to renew the resource consents for Tongariro Power Scheme (TPS), new minimum flows were implemented and the Wanganui District Council (WDC), Genesis and the Ruapehu District Council (RDC) entered into a formal agreement on 31 May 2002 to establish a Trust to provide resources to mitigate effects of the ongoing operation of the TPS.

The Whanganui River Enhancement Charitable Trust was established in 2003 and the current Trustees are Jenny Duncan (Chairman) and Kritzo Venter from WDC; Lynn Neeson and Pauline Welch from RDC; Jill Sheehy (Independent); while Gareth Gray and Kenzie Jackson represent Genesis."}},{"id":"RqdC4jZGC8","type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"Purpose"}},{"id":"BMKfcM3OIP","type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"The Trust's purpose is to promote and encourage the enhancement of the quality of the waters and catchments of the Whanganui River."}},{"id":"ptEN3onh1b","type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"The key objectives to which funds are allocated are:"}},{"id":"StayQQuiD2","type":"list","data":{"style":"unordered","items":[{"content":"Water quality enhancement","items":[]},{"content":"River enhancement projects (social and environmental)","items":[]},{"content":"Public education","items":[]},{"content":"Student scholarships/education","items":[]}]}},{"id":"B6U_5wvLuJ","type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"Current projects"}},{"id":"d2hzokx0rq","type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"The Trust is working with Horizons Regional Council on a water quality enhancement project focused on priority catchments of the Whanganui River. The proposal aims to help farmers manage erosion by preparing and implementing farm plans in the Waikaka and Ohura catchments and commenced in 2005. The Trust has helped develop a model farm and has established additional poplar nurseries to support erosion management.

In 2018, the Trust made provision to fund land use optimisation assessments of Whanganui hill-country farms to help landowners transition to land uses that reduce sediment loads into the Whanganui River.

The Trust provides annual funding for social and environmental enhancement projects in the Whanganui Catchment. To date, the Trust has provided funds to a wide range of river enhancement projects for activities such as riparian fencing and planting and wastewater discharge upgrades. The Trust also provides student scholarships for research into issues that will help the long-term health of the river.

For more information regarding the funding process or the Whanganui River Enhancement Trust please contact: "}},{"id":"GeH5k9pAr-","type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"Nicole Tawhiri – Genesis Environmental Assistant
C/o Tokaanu Power Station
Private Bag 36
Turangi
027 209 6570
nicole.tawhiri@genesisenergy.co.nz"}}]}