If you saw the protest moving through Wellsford yesterday morning and wondered what it was about, this is part of a seven-year community battle, now over three years in the Environment Court.

Protesters were visible throughout Wellsford, standing proudly with placards and banners calling for the protection of our land and waterways. While organisers had hoped for a larger turnout, public support was evident — many drivers honked their horns in encouragement, showing how deeply this issue resonates.

Our community, alongside mana whenua who remain opposed, continues to fight to safeguard our environment, native species, waterways, the Hōteo River, Kaipara Harbour, and the 55,000-hectare freshwater aquifer that sustains our region. As anyone who regularly travels the Dome Valley knows, it often rains heavily through the Dome while remaining dry on either side — a clear reminder of how unstable and waterlogged this landscape truly is.

You don’t put a landfill in a freshwater catchment — especially not in a high rainfall, unstable land area.

Voices from the Marae and the Court

At a recent hui kōrero, Moewaka Jane Sheppard shared updates and acknowledged the tautoko (support) of Puatahi Marae co-chairs Peter Symons and Kahurangi Dame Naida Glavish. Bore testing by Puatahi Marae has shown degraded aquifer water since 2011, underlining just how fragile this catchment is.

Much has evolved between the Te Hana hui (20 July 2024) and the Puatahi hui (20 July 2025), only a year apart, as the fight continues to gain momentum.

Meanwhile, the legal team representing the community is working pro bono, supported by expert witnesses who will be back in the Environment Court next week. Their dedication highlights the spirit of service and unity driving this cause.

If you wish to support their efforts, donations can be made to:

Fight the Tip Tiaki Te Whenua Incorporated

Account number: 12-3094-0274048-00

Every contribution helps fund ongoing expert evidence, court costs, and community engagement to protect our whenua and wai.

A Message Shared from Kaipara Mayor Craig Jepson

From the Dome Valley landfill hui at Puatahi Marae, Mayor Craig Jepson shared an important message with attendees:

“PUATAHI MARAE hosted an excellent hui on Sunday regarding continued opposition to the proposed Dome Valley Landfill. Ngāti Manuhiri and Ngāti Whātua are no longer opposing the landfill, but many of the smaller marae and Fight the Tip, Save the Dome are resolute in continuing to stop this travesty from occurring. To be fair, I’m not sure anyone else in the Kaipara and North Rodney area wants the landfill either.

A big thank you to Mikaere Miru and Mina Henare (Tinopai RMU) and the Fight the Tip team for your tenacity and perseverance.

Puatahi Marae sits beside the Hōteo River and would be among the most impacted if future leachate discharges were to occur. Both the landfill site and Puatahi are within Auckland Council’s jurisdiction but the precious Kaipara Harbour doesn’t recognise boundaries. We are all connected by the rivers that flow into it.

The conversation got me thinking: if Auckland Council won’t supply rubbish to the landfill, perhaps the landfill won’t be needed.

So, what am I going to do about it? I’ll be asking my neighbouring Mayor Wayne Brown and Councillor Greg Sayers (Rodney) to meet with me, Fight the Tip, Tinopai RMU and Puatahi Marae. I’ll ask them to work with us on finding an alternative that protects our harbour. I’ll keep you updated.

Also in attendance were Rachael Williams (KDC Councillor, Kaiwaka–Mangawhai Ward), Denise Rogers (for Councillor, Ōtamatea Ward, Kaipara), and Huhana Melanie Lyndon.

Where To From Here?

This fight is about more than a landfill — it’s about kaitiakitanga, the guardianship of land and water for the generations to come.

How you can help:

• Stay informed through local hui and verified community updates.
• Write to Auckland Council and Kaipara District Council representatives urging sustainable alternatives.

1. Craig Jepson (Mayor, Kaipara District Council) — you’ll find his details on the Council “Mayor & Councillors” contact list.
2. Jonathan Larsen (Deputy Mayor, Kaipara) — email: [email protected] jonathanlarsen.co.nz
3. Greg Sayers (Councillor, Auckland Council, Rodney Ward) — email: [email protected]
4. Generic email for the Rodney Local Board (Rodney Local Board) is [email protected]
5. Generic email for the Kaipara District Council is [email protected]

• Support Fight the Tip Tiaki Te Whenua Incorporated financially or by volunteering.
• Share credible information to keep the public aware and engaged.

The people of Wellsford, Puatahi, and the wider Kaipara rohe stand united. The battle for our land and water continues — and the community will not give up.