Scoop has an Ethical Paywall
Work smarter with a Pro licence Learn More

Gordon Campbell | Parliament TV | Parliament Today | News Video | Crime | Employers | Housing | Immigration | Legal | Local Govt. | Maori | Welfare | Unions | Youth | Search

 

Karangahake community expects large turnout for rally

Karangahake community expects large turnout for anti-mining rally

Karangahake locals are looking forward to this weekend's rally and concert, when hundreds are expected to flock to the Gorge to show support for the community in its strong opposition to gold mining in the area.

The rally, organised by locals, calls on people from across the region and beyond to come to the Karangahake Gorge, an iconic piece of conservation estate at the base of the Coromandel Peninsula, and demonstrate support for the protection of conservation land in New Zealand.

Karangahake local and event organiser Beccy Dove says the rally is a chance for everyone in the wider community to get involved in their campaign.

"We're really excited - the rally is a chance to engage the wider community personally in protecting Karangahake and places like it."

"Our precious, wild places are under threat right now - Karangahake is a symbol of what is happening to conservation land across New Zealand and it's vital that we keep it safe; for all of New Zealand to enjoy.

"We're expecting a big turn-out and we're encouraging people from far and wide to come enjoy our event, have a walk in the Gorge, enjoy listening to music performed by local musicians, and take part in banner painting. We've created it with fun in mind; we want people to enjoy spending time with us out in nature on the mountain, so they can understand how it important it is to us," she says.

The rally takes place on Saturday, September 2nd, right by the Karangahake Hall, and will feature guest speakers, music, banner painting, food and more. Local cafe owners are offering discounts to those attending the rally in support of the community's effort to protect Karangahake from mining.

Advertisement - scroll to continue reading

Are you getting our free newsletter?

Subscribe to Scoop’s 'The Catch Up' our free weekly newsletter sent to your inbox every Monday with stories from across our network.

"It's great to see such wonderful support from everyone in our community," says Dove.

"Our local businesses are completely dependent on the beauty of this region and the Gorge draws thousands of tourists to the area each year, bringing with them an enormous boost to the local economy.

"This mountain is more than precious to us - it's our way of life," she says.

The rally follows months of protests from locals against mining company New Talisman Gold, which is currently prospecting for gold deep in the heart of conservation land in the Karangahake Gorge. Last week nine people blocked the road to the mine site, stopping the company from accessing the site and creating nation-wide headlines. The community was previously thrown into the spotlight when they made global headlines in The Guardian last month.

Since then, the resolve of the community to stop mining in their community is growing stronger, says Dove.

"We are more determined than ever to get mining out of conservation land here in Karangahake and our rally and concert is a chance for people from far and wide to gather and support this. Let's keep our wild places for people and nature - not for mining companies and big business!"

More information about the rally and concert following it can be found at www.protectkarangahake.org.nz


ends

© Scoop Media

Advertisement - scroll to continue reading
 
 
 
Parliament Headlines | Politics Headlines | Regional Headlines


Gordon Campbell: On The US Opposition To Mortgage Interest Deductibility For Landlords


Should landlords be able to deduct the interest on the loans they take out to bankroll their property speculation? The US Senate Budget Committee and Bloomberg News don't think this is a good idea, for reasons set out below. Regardless, our coalition government has been burning through a ton of political capital by giving landlords a huge $2.9 billion tax break via interest deductibility, while still preaching the need for austerity to the disabled, and to everyone else...
More


 
 

Government: Concerns Conveyed To China Over Cyber Activity
Foreign Minister Winston Peters has confirmed New Zealand’s concerns about cyber activity have been conveyed directly to the Chinese Government. “The Prime Minister and Minister Collins have expressed concerns today about malicious cyber activity... More

ALSO:


Government: GDP Decline Reinforces Government’s Fiscal Plan

Declining GDP for the December quarter reinforces the importance of restoring fiscal discipline to public spending and driving more economic growth, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says... More

ALSO:


Government: Humanitarian Support For Gaza & West Bank

Winston Peters has announced NZ is providing a further $5M to respond to the extreme humanitarian need in Gaza and the West Bank. “The impact of the Israel-Hamas conflict on civilians is absolutely appalling," he said... More


Government: New High Court Judge Appointed

Judith Collins has announced the appointment of Wellington Barrister Jason Scott McHerron as a High Court Judge. Justice McHerron graduated from the University of Otago with a BA in English Literature in 1994 and an LLB in 1996... More

 
 
 
 
 
 

LATEST HEADLINES

  • PARLIAMENT
  • POLITICS
  • REGIONAL
 
 

InfoPages News Channels


 
 
 
 

Join Our Free Newsletter

Subscribe to Scoop’s 'The Catch Up' our free weekly newsletter sent to your inbox every Monday with stories from across our network.