Far North landowners have been given the green light to take billions of litres of water from an underground aquifer.
The water, which will mainly be used for avocado orchards, will come out of the Aupouri aquifer, which sits right at the top of the motu.
Many are welcoming the consents, but the decision's disappointed some locals who believe the environmental risks are greater than the economic rewards.
Nita Blake-Persen reports.
