“The draining dates from 2022 when Waikanae had very high rainfall resulting in an unusually high water table. It particularly affected property of a Kapiti District Councillor, and others. It seems Kawakahia wetland, east of the Drive, with a new urban development site, was partially drained by District Council or personal order. Kawakahia had Queen Elizabeth ll Trust protection, so how did this occur? 

I would like to know, along with the question in the above paragraph:  

1.Did the District Council or other party apply for a consent under the District or GWRC, or Department of Conservation, to partially drain the Kawakahia wetland in 2022? Who? When was it consented? What was its identifier? Was there a remedial consent/ identifier once Pharazyn Reserve wetland dried out? 

2. If it was not consented, who authorized this? Why has drainage continued as Pharazyn wetland became a dry habitat, so water birds had to leave? 

3.Why did the district council/person authorizing work not then block the channel? What will GWRC and District Council do to restore the Kawakahia wetland and Pharazyn wetland to their original state? Residents of the area are greatly concerned about the lack of water and birds. Whose responsibility are the two joined wetlands? (separated by road). Drying out wetlands by stealth is worrying.”