If he didn’t understand legal lingo before he started the Waiau Rivercare Group, Southland dairy farmer Paul Marshall certainly understands it now.
A founding member of the Waiau Rivercare Group, Paul has been instrumental in pushing for the activity status of the Manapouri Power Scheme to be changed from "controlled" to "discretionary" in the Southland Regional Council’s Water and Land Plan.
To leave it otherwise would mean the Tuatapere community could have no meaningful influence on whether Meridian Energy could continue taking more than 90% of the river’s flow, diverting it to the West Arm Power Station at Manapouri.
"Before it was diverted in the 1970s, the Waiau River was the second largest river in New Zealand, the average flow was 450 cubic metres of water a second, now it has a minimum consented flow of 12 to 16 cubic metres a second," he said.
"The environmental, cultural and social effects are significant, and dire. In the summer the river has frequently had toxic algal blooms which makes the Waiau unsafe to swim in."
It was a very different world in 1972 when the West Arm Power Station became fully operational, Paul said.
"As a society we simply took what we wanted. We drained wetlands, diverted rivers, and cleared forests, with very little regard to environmental consequence. There was no consideration given to the ecological wellbeing of the Waiau River. That has now changed."
It was a gruelling five-year court battle for Paul, his family, the Rivercare Group and many other parties including Forest & Bird, and Ngā Rūnanga.
The win means in 2031, Meridian Energy must go through a full resource consent process for the Manapouri Power Scheme, and Environment Southland will have the ability to make Meridian put more water back in the Waiau River.
"Meridian’s appeal would have given them the green light to keep taking up to 95% of the Waiau River," Paul said.
"This was a community that found its voice and spoke on behalf of the river and all the life that comes from it. And it is a victory for every small community who faces being steam-rolled by big corporates," he said.
The appeal, Paul says, has never been about shutting down the West Arm Power Scheme, but giving Environment Southland the ability to ensure a "sweet spot" can be found for both Meridian Energy and the ecological vibrancy of the river for generations to come.
In his "day job" Paul has an infectious passion for his family dairy farm. His son-in-law Peter Jordon is their contract milker and the family has recently entered into a joint venture purchasing the neighbouring farm so all 1180 dairy cows and heifers can be wintered at home.
He is keen to front-foot initiatives that reduce the farm’s greenhouse gas emissions without reducing productivity.
"There are opportunities to do this through genetic gains, agronomy and feed management. We have already managed to reduce our herd by 10 to 15% while not just maintaining production levels but actually increasing it."
Paul is a big believer in the power of a positive mindset. "The cup isn’t just half full; it can be added to".
"Everywhere we look we see opportunities to sharpen the pencil which will increase production, lift profit and decrease our environmental footprint."
Being located in the deep south, the farm is relatively remote. "If you find yourself in Milford Sound, you have gone one click too far."
Ensuring the farm is adequately staffed is always front of mind and son-in-law Peter as contract milker is a brilliant employer. He has seven Filipino staff this season.
"They are fantastic people. They bring a diverse range of skills to the business, they are hardworking and positive but remember your karaoke shoes for our staff parties!" — Alice Scott
