Ballance Agri-Nutrients is winding down its manufacturing operations at its Hewletts Rd, Mount Maunganui site. Photo \/ NZME<\/p>\n
The harbourside marae, built in 1873, is surrounded by Mount Maunganui\u2019s industrial zone, centred on the Port of Tauranga.<\/p>\n
Whareroa environmental spokesman Joel Ng\u0101tuere said the marae community welcomed Ballance\u2019s decision.<\/p>\n
Ng\u0101tuere acknowledged the \u201cdifficulties and stresses\u201d faced by affected Ballance staff and their families.<\/p>\n
\u201cSome of these are our family and friends, so we understand the stress this has created for a number of people.\u201d<\/p>\n
However, Ng\u0101tuere said Ballance and other heavy industry operators in the Mount Maunganui airshed should \u201cnever have been allowed to be positioned on our doorstep\u201d in the first place.<\/p>\n
He said this was a \u201cfailure of successive councils\u201d and city and regional council leadership.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe have been working with the [Ballance] chief executive and the chair, who have been keeping us informed of the future direction and some of the strategic positioning of their business.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Mount Maunganui industrial zone was declared a polluted airshed in 2019.<\/p>\n
\u201cEverybody is fully aware of the longstanding intergenerational harm caused to our community, especially from air pollution,\u201d Ng\u0101tuere said.<\/p>\n
A 2023 Toi Te Ora Public Health study found Mount Maunganui\u2019s poor air quality contributed to an estimated 13 extra premature deaths each year<\/a>.<\/p>\n At a public meeting in Mount Maunganui<\/a> last year, Toi Te Ora Public Health medical officer of health Dr Jim Miller said poor air quality was a \u201cmuch bigger health issue\u201d than people realised.<\/p>\n He said the long-term effects included increased risk of strokes, lung cancer and cardiovascular issues.<\/p>\n Ng\u0101tuere said, in his view, heavy industry had contributed to the air pollution.<\/p>\n In his opinion, \u201cBallance and other heavy industry businesses have all contributed to the worsening of the Mount Maunganui peninsula\u2019s polluted industrial airshed.\u201d<\/p>\n He said Ballance\u2019s decision was an \u201cideal opportunity\u2019 for other heavy industry operators in the peninsula to investigate options for how they might relocate to a \u201dfit-for-purpose” industrial zone, such as the new Rangiuru Business Park<\/a>.<\/p>\n \u201cIn doing so, they could increase their productivity, increase jobs and investment in the region, while still maintaining a close relationship with the Port of Tauranga.\u201d <\/p>\n He said this was not about trying to shut down heavy industry businesses in Mount Maunganui.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s about ensuring they are located in the right areas and ensuring those who live, work and play in the Mount Maunganui peninsula can enjoy clear air and not be poisoned from chronic exposure.\u201d<\/p>\nWhareroa Marae environmental spokesman Joel Ngatuere. Photo \/ Alex Cairns<\/p>\n