Students ponder the stench of the pond

Next to the Palmy vet building remains a quiet place to relax, hang out with friends, watch the ducks, and... stare at the rotting of algae.  

Microbiology and Statistics student, Teddy Crawford remembered the pond always being eutrophic, a process that results in algae blooms.  

“The reason for all those algae is because the growth is no longer sustained by lack of sunlight. 

“The pond used to sit in the shade of the vet tower and some tress, but since they demolished the vet tower, there is nothing stopping the algae from growing like it is right now. 

The pond in 1988. Photo / Massey Archives

“It unfortunately means that there is not much else that can live in it, or even nice enough to look at.” 

2021 graduate Ben Foster said, “When I was at Massey the pond was never that green, and there used to be fish and eels in there to feed.  

“But now it is like grass, and I would not be surprised if someone fell in it mistaking it for grass during the night.” 

Foster added, “A few years ago someone even crashed their van in there.” 

“I also remember it used to be the nicest part of campus. People would say Massey had the nicest campus in NZ, because of the pond and the trees.”  

“It was also the nicest place to study as well – on the bank next to it, under the science tower.” 

A Massey spokesperson said, “Grounds staff clean up and maintain around the outside of the duck pond to reduce the amount of dead vegetation entering the pond, as this can encourage duck weed. 

“Longer-term solutions for the treatment of the pond are being considered.” 

Psychology student, Jess Goodman said, “I love sitting on the little jetty by the pond and watching the ducks, there is this one duck that has a maniacal laugh.” 

“However, I must admit that the stuff on the top looks radioactive.”