Moanataiari subdivision

About the Moanataiari project

The Moanataiari subdivision in Thames was built on land reclaimed from the sea using old mine tailings, which can potentially contain elevated levels of heavy metals and other toxic chemicals. A significant cap of “clean fill” was reportedly used to cover the tailings. However, in 2006, while researching potential contamination of sediments in the Firth of Thames near Moanataiari, a Waikato Regional Council scientist identified the need to test surface soils at the subdivision to see if they might be the source of the sediment contamination. The regional council prioritised Moanatairi for further investigation along with other sites, including the Tui Mine, Rotowaro Carbonisation Plant and Cambridge Gasworks.

The council investigates one contaminated site a year and testing of Moanataiari roadside soils took place in October and November 2011. These tests confirmed the presence of elevated levels of arsenic above recommended guidelines for residential soils, as well as concentrations of other chemicals and heavy metals.

On 22 November 2011 a public meeting was held to inform Moanataiari residents about the situation and next steps, and provide health advice on how they should manage risks from potential arsenic exposure.

The Waikato Regional Council is working closely with Thames-Coromandel District Council, Ministry for the Environment and the Waikato District Health Board to carry out further testing on private properties, decide what actions might be needed once the results are known, and let people know about the simple steps they can take to manage any potential health risks.

In light of the Moanataiari subdivision results, the Ministry of Education asked the regional council to undertake soil sampling for all schools and early childhood centres in Thames.

Results for each school and early childhood education services surveyed are listed in the table below: