MEDIA ADVISORY

Taitokerau to Gather in Support of Ngāti Hau Anti-Mining Stance

Thursday 8 September 2016

In an unprecedented move, Kuia Kaumatua of Ngāti Hau have called the hapū and communities of Taitokerau together to participate in a day of action opposing gold mining at Puhipuhi.

“This is the first time Ngāti Hau have called Taitokerau together in this way,” said Whaea Thelma Connors. “The hapū of Ngāpuhi have been waiting for this call, and they will stand with us. We don’t want toxic mining at Puhipuhi or anywhere in Taitokerau – not now, not ever!”

Day of action: Sunday 11 September, Whakapara Marae, powhiri 9:30am

The day of action is the latest in a series of actions organised by the Action Coordination Group since drilling began at Puhipuhi mountain by Evolution Mining. Opposition has centred on the environmental risks of gold mining – including the leakage of arsenic, mercury and other toxic substances into waterways – and the harm it poses to all in the wider community.

“The Waitangi Tribunal has confirmed what our people have always known – Ngāpuhi did not cede sovereignty. We still have our mana motuhake and our tino rangatiratanga,” said Ngāti Hau Anti Mining Group spokesperson Vaughan Potter. “Puhipuhi mountain, and any minerals that are part of it, are ours to protect. It will not be damaged by drillers and miners. Evolution Mining must leave.”

“We are all downstream of Puhipuhi,” said MineWatch Northland’s spokesperson Tim Howard. “Evolution Mining have been telling their Australian investors they have the support of local hapū and community. We are setting that record straight. We are standing up, Māori and Pākehā, to say we don’t want toxic mining here.”

The Action Coordination Group is a working coalition of Ngāti Hau Kuia Kaumatua, the Ngāti Hau Anti-Mining Group, the Ngāti Hau Resource Management Unit, and MineWatch Northland.

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