Rahui on Lake Taupō and Waikato River affecting businesses

A rahui over parts of Lake Taupō and the upper Waikato River is affecting business operators. 

Tūwharetoa Māori Trust Board imposed the rahui on the waterways after a large wastewater spill into Lake Taupō on Tuesday. 

"Our immediate concern is for the health and safety of our community, and the protection and restoration of the mauri of our taonga - Lake Taupō and the Waikato Awa," chief executive Topia Rameka said in a statement.

Taupō Business Chamber board member Chloe Walker told Newshub some Waikato River-based businesses are impacted.

"Some of them have reduced their services, but by and large operators have been able to continue and operate in certain areas."

The council has urged people to restrict showers, toliet flushes and washing of dishes. 

Walker said the wastewater issues won't affect school holiday visitors, but some other businesses will feel the crunch.

"For example, a hairdresser won't have the taps turned on for as long. Managing that, just let people know they need to conserve as much as possible."

Special events will still be going ahead as usual.

"We've got the Winter Festival started... and a whole lot of activities that are happening around that. These things are all continuing to go ahead."

Newshub.