A Tale of Two Rivers - Whitewater NZ (pt2 Arnold river, Stockton, Mokihinui river)

For more on this and other rivers in NZ see www.rivers.org.nz

New Zealand prides itself on its "clean and green" image, and maintaining that ideal means a commitment to renewable power. However, even renewables come at a price. For many, the recent and controversial consent granted to Meridian to dam the Mokihinui River is a perfect example of going too far in the name of renewable energy.

"A Tale of Two Rivers" joins a group of rafters and kayakers for a trip down the wild Mokihinui, one of New Zealand's--and the world's-- increasingly rare, untouched rivers. The fourteen-kilometre long lake that would result if the scheme goes ahead would be the largest inundation of conservation land in New Zealand's history.

But conservation has to deal with the reality of power generation. The West Coast needs more power, and generating it locally is by far more efficient than importing it from outside the region. But is the Mokihinui the right river?

What makes the Mokihinui story unique is an alternative hydro proposal a few kilometres away on the Stockton Plateau has near unanimous support from conservationists, recreational users and business leaders. Since power generation is a function of height and water volume, by taking advantage of the altitude at Stockton, this alternative scheme would generate nearly the same amount of power using much less water. This scheme has the added benefit of using water from the Stockton Mine, thus cleaning up the polluted Ngakawau River.

"A Tale of Two Rivers" combines scenery and sport with a frank discussion by local leaders who are struggling to balance the competing demands on their region. Ant Black, the brains behind the Stockton hydro scheme, discusses how Stockton can serve as a real alternative to the Mokihinui.

Environmentalism can elicit strong reactions, both positive and negative, but "A Tale of Two Rivers" demonstrates that saving a wild river need not mean saying no to development. It is saying yes to smart development.

Category:

Nonprofits & Activism

Tags:

• Hydro power
• NZ
• west coast
• mokihinui
• stockton
• dam
• pristine
• hydro

[34groome]

From this movie it is obvious from my angling point of view that kayakers really do only "skim the surface" of a river. The true value of the Arnold River is found in its immense aquatic ecosystem. Kayakers see our rivers the same as power companies -nothing more than a giant tap. The modifications presently on the Arnold do little to lower the aquatic values. The Arnold settlement is not a "compromise" it is a trade-off between two unsustainable groups - kayakers and a power company. Shame!

[toateetv]

@34groome So how should we generate the power YOU use. There has to be compromise somewhere. Whatr are you willing to compromise on? Everyone is using more and more power. it has to come from somewhere.. i wish it wasn't dams on rivers.. I'm keen to hear your solution. Or are you just as unsustainable as the power company in that you expect infinite and unlimited power but aren't willing to give up anything for it?

[toateetv]

Solid Energy recently withdrew their opposition to the HDL stockton scheme a week after A Tale of Two Rivers Screened on TVNZ6.

[34groome]

At massive expense I took TrustPower to Court. What am I willing to sacrifice? Try every dime Im ever likely to ever own and two years of my life! You question my commitment to saving power? I spend my time on the river and painting pictures of it. I write about it. Paint, brushes, canvas, pen and paper-I give not take. Me save power?! What a joke! You sound just like a hydro developer. I would live in a hut with a solar panel by the river and paint write, direct, eat and drink. Contentment.