Watercare has agreed to pay $1 million in compensation to ten oyster farmers affected by the sewage overflow into the Mahurangi River from its Warkworth pump station on 29 October.

The overflow, caused by a power surge that tripped the pumps at the Lucy Moore Memorial Park station, released an estimated 1200 cubic metres of wastewater, with about half believed to have entered the river.

Every time an overflow occurs, oyster farmers must wait at least a month — often longer — before they can safely resume harvesting. This latest spill is part of a long series of events that have repeatedly impacted the Mahurangi oyster industry, many of which have gone undetected or ignored by Watercare. Progress on addressing the issue has largely come through the persistence of local farmers who have investigated incidents themselves, spoken out publicly, and taken their concerns to the media.

The compensation package was negotiated between Watercare, Aquaculture New Zealand, and the Oyster Industry Association. While the $1 million settlement provides short-term relief, Aquaculture New Zealand said it does not cover the total losses and that further compensation will be sought once the full impact is assessed.

The payment will be shared among ten affected farmers, offering only limited support given the scale of the losses. Despite sounding substantial, the $1 million sum divided between the farmers represents a small fraction of the damage caused, particularly during the busiest time of year for oyster production.

Watercare chief executive Jamie Sinclair reiterated his apology to the farmers and confirmed that an independent expert will assist in quantifying the total financial impact. He said Watercare remains committed to ensuring an incident of this kind does not happen again.

Photo credit: Matakana Oysters

Oyster farmers say they continue to face significant financial, environmental, and emotional strain. The contamination has raised concerns about water quality, the industry’s reputation, and the long-term viability of oyster farming in the Mahurangi Harbour. Water testing is ongoing, but many farmers say they are unlikely to resume harvesting before Christmas.

Aquaculture New Zealand said it will continue to work with Watercare and local authorities to pursue further compensation and advocate for systemic changes to prevent future contamination events.