Anti-mining Campaigners to Give Talk at Kaeo Public Meeting

Kaeo, Friday 1 November 2013: Te Wakameninga o nga hapū Ngāpuhi and the Far North branch of Forest and Bird are hosting a free public talk at the Kaeo Memorial Hall, 7pm Thursday 7 November from community anti-mining campaigners John Frey (Western Australia) and Catherine Delahunty (Coromandel).

John Krey, prime organiser of the tiny Australian town of Bulga's uprising against mining giant Rio Tinto will tell the inspiring story of Bulga’s residents David versus Goliath struggle against local government and the mining industry to protect their town's future. John is the vice-president of the Bulga Milbrodale Progress Association which recently won a landmark court ruling preventing the expansion of an open cast coal mine close to the town's boundary.

John Krey and Green Party mining spokesperson Catherine Delahunty are touring the North Island supporting small communities facing similar threats to Bulga. Catherine has thirty years experience campaigning against toxic mining interests with many insights to share.

Recent acceleration of the Government issuing exploration permits mean many communities now have to defend themselves from proposals for mining near or in some cases literally under their homes. The location of Kaeo for the talk is deliberately chosen because Wayne Brown’s mineral exploration company, Tai Tokerau Minerals Ltd, has two mineral exploration permits in the Whangaroa catchment. Consultation is underway to extend one of these right behind Matangirau, Te Ngaere and beautiful Matauri Bay.

Exploration permits signed this year commit companies to carry out core sample drilling. These are expected to be underway soon and continue for five years with the possibility of renewal under the new Crown Minerals laws.

"During the local body election campaign, Wayne Brown increased his shares in Tai Tokerau Minerals Ltd from 5% to 33% (1). We understand this is related to the proposed secret extensions to the Whangaroa permits" says Dean Baigent-Mercer, Chairperson of the Far North branch of Forest and Bird.

Bryce Smith for Te Wakameninga o nga hapū Ngāpuhi said, “Last decade the Whangaroa community and hapū fended off mineral exploration company Aurora Minerals Limited and momentum is building for a repeat action. At that time drill rigs were sneaked in during the middle of the night and set up in a paddock of maize. This won’t be happening again”.

(1) http://www.business.govt.nz/companies/app/ui/pages/companies/4101299/shareholdings

ENDS

© Scoop Media