Otara

Work sent me to Manukau Institute of Technology for a book launch on Friday.

For notorious South Auckland it was nicer than I expected.
Down Otara Rd there were loads of citrus trees in front gardens.
Ngati Otara Kura Kaupapa had a splendid bed of winter vegetables (silverbeet and brassicas). That cheered me up immensely.

Then it was worse.
At the end of the road Ngati Otara Park backs on to Otara Creek. There was a sign up saying "Warning: Polluted. Do not swim, do not fish."

I felt quite shocked. Even worse, Manukau City Council says it's due to industrial pollution:
http://www.manukau.govt.nz/tec/catchment/otara_pages/otara_background.htm