All Maritime News and Travel: Whaka penny divers told to avoid stream

23 May 2011

Whaka penny divers told to avoid stream

Anita Moran -

Whakarewarewa Village's iconic penny divers have been told to stay out of Puarenga Stream because it could be polluted.

Children have been diving in the stream for pennies thrown into the water by tourists for nearly 100 years and carry the coins in their mouths. They have been warned to stay out of the stream which Tuhourangi spokesman Wally Lee says has been tested and shown to be contaminated. Bay of Plenty Regional Council has conducted further tests and is awaiting the results.

Mr Lee featured on Maori Television's current affairs show Native Affairs claiming the water in the stream, which runs through Whakarewarewa Village to Lake Rotorua, contains high levels of PCP and E coli.

Antisapstain chemical pentachlorophenol (PCP) was used to treat timber at the former Waipa Mill before it was banned in the late 1980s.

Symptoms of PCP exposure may include stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, rapid breathing, fever, sweating and weakness and the body temperature may rise to high levels. There is also the risk of a severe skin condition, chloracne, like acne in appearance but often more widespread.

Mr Lee says other waterways which run into Puarenga also capture rubbish and run-off, further contaminating the stream.

He has made a submission to the Rotorua District Council's draft Annual Plan 2011/12 about the quality of the water in the stream.

In his submission, Mr Lee said the Puarenga Catchment was made up of several streams which converge at the Hemo Gorge, forming the Puarenga Stream.

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