Hone Harawira
MANA Leader and MP for Te Tai Tokerau

Annette Sykes
President of MANA

4th December 2012

Congratulations Te Whanau a Apanui

“Te Whanau a Apanui, take a bow” says MANA leader and MP for Te Tai Tokerau Hone Harawira following the news that Petrobras have handed in their drilling permits.

“Against a multimillion dollar campaign that involved both the New Zealand Government and oil giants Petrobras, you have led the fight against their plans to exploit your food cupboard in the Raukumara Basin. On behalf of all Maori who oppose deep sea oil drilling, nga mihi nui ki a koutou”.

MANA President Annette Sykes comments, “Today local people such as the Chair of Te Whanau a Apanui, Rikirangi Gage, boat skipper Elvis Teddy and an outspoken advocate for her people, Dayle Takitimu, are being celebrated for not taking a backward step against the might of a government and a money-hungry, environment-wrecking multinational company”.

“Here in Waiariki, Maori are relieved that the Raukumara is not going to be plundered for a non-sustainable resource that only brings joy to the top table of a foreign company”.

Harawira continues: “This is the second company to back up their bags from trying to get black gold from our country following Anadarko announcing they would no longer be deep sea drilling off the coast of Taranaki. Oil companies still have their eyes on other parts of our coast such as Tai Tokerau”.

“Perhaps now oil companies and this government will realise that people across the country will be buoyed by the actions of Te Whanau a Apanui and their subsequent win against Petrobras”.

ENDS

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