Media Advisory: Iwi Chairs Forum Oppose Seismic Testing.

Today during a national gathering of Māori leaders at Te Papa, an historic agreement was made to oppose all seismic testing and oil exploration in the waters of Aotearoa.

The Iwi Chairs Forum unanimously passed the resolution to:

Oppose seismic testing and oil exploration in our waters; and seeks amendments to the EEZ Act to give effect to this opposition.

Many iwi have been opposed to seismic testing in their waters as the permits for exploration expanded around the coast of the country during the last decade.

Earlier this week the Amazon Warrior, the world’s largest seismic exploration ship, arrived to start a summer of seismic blasting off the Taranaki Coast.

Taranaki kaumātua and Chairman for Te Kāhui o Rauru, Te Pahunga Davis says “All of the Taranaki iwi support this kaupapa and endorsed the petition” he says.

A Petition demanding the new government ‘Halt Siesmic Testing in Taranaki Moana’ gathered over 10 000 signatures in a week.

The Petition states:
“As we face the climate change emergency all over the world, the threats to our whānau, our culture and all future generations increase with every new fossil fuel exploration permit."

“Burning fossil fuels lies at the heart of this threat, and we know the whole world is preparing to transition away from oil, gas and coal to support new forms of sustainable energy as a matter of urgency."

“We are asking for all future oil exploration permits to be cancelled to support Aotearoa, New Zealand progress towards a zero carbon economy by 2050."

ENDS

© Scoop Media