What's The Problem With Our Harbour?

By Braeden Windle, Pierce Burt, Jake Butchard, Bella MacDonald and Paige Bourke

In the Porirua harbour there are a number of attributes in which are harmful to the harbour itself. The main attribute being pollution. Urbanisation has been a leading contributor to this problem, as pollutants are entering the harbour due to runoff from the roads.

The chemical pollutants that are entering the harbour are not only making the harbour unhealthy but are also killing the already decreasing number of macro-invertebrates and other sealife living in the harbour. Because of this the fish and Eels are slowly leaving their natural habitat because of the slowly worsening conditions. This also affects the natural food chain of the sea which can lead to adverse effects in the appeal of New Zealand as a natural place.

Stormwater pollution has similar effects to chemical pollutants in the harbour. Stormwater pollution can kill plants and creatures in the harbour. The increased flooding can also make the Porirua harbour look sickly and unappealing to people visiting new Zealand.