The Government must support Northland hapū who have resorted to rakes and buckets to try to control a devastating invasive seaweed that threatens the local economy and environment.

“The Government's expectation that local Bay of Islands hapū fight a tsunami of caulerpa, a pest seaweed species, with garden rakes is unrealistic,” Labour biosecurity spokesperson Jo Luxton said.

“Government funding of $15 million to combat caulerpa in Northland is not enough. Tonnes of it have washed up on shores following Cyclone Tam.

“Caulerpa is a seaweed that smothers the seafloor and competes with other species for space. It could potentially devastate the local aquaculture industry, and stifle opportunities for the local Māori economy and jobs.

“Local hapū are crying out for government resourcing to control the weed but are being ignored. Instead, they must resort to rakes and buckets to clean up a multimillion-dollar mess.

“Overseas, infested areas have halved local fish stocks and heavily affected tourism jobs.

“Māori aren’t after compensation but want their efforts to be resourced and to be involved in decision making. By ignoring their calls, this is just another kick in the guts for Māori from this government.

“There are opportunities for the local Māori economy and jobs that could be lost because of this Government's incompetent response,” Jo Luxton said.

© Scoop Media