Ngati Ruanui Fighting for Future Generations Over Iron Sand Mining

Te Runanga O Ngati Ruanui Trust (Ngati Ruanui) is getting ready for a significant legal challenge next week as it heads to the High Court appealing the Trans-Tasman Resources marine consent to mine iron sands off the coast of Taranaki.

We have assembled a very detailed case looking at all parts of the decision said Debbie Ngarewa-Packer, Kaiarataki, of Ngati Ruanui. We are confident there are number of un-answered questions about this decision that the court will need to deal with.

Ngati Ruanui believes the decision made by the Environmental Protection Authority failed to correctly interpret the law. There was not enough information about the environmental impacts and the conditions imposed are illegal for this type of mining operation.

This is a significant battle to save our coast line from years of environmental damage if this mining consent was to go ahead. We are fighting for future generations and the whole community!

Ngati Ruanui is also challenging evidence that has been submitted to the High Court by the Environmental Protection Authority which supports Trans-Tasman Resources to mine for iron sand. Debbie Ngarewa-Packer said it was shocking to see a government agency actively supporting a private company/applicant like this. We would have thought there would have been some neutrality is what they were presenting.

Ngati Ruanui also continues to seek changes to the law which allows applications like this mining sand to continue. We are hopeful the new government will look forward with us to help set up a much stricter regime where the community has a stronger voice about what happens with such precious resources.

While we are confident about our appeal and we also knows that there are many more legal steps we can take including the Court of Appeal, Supreme Court and the United Nations. We will never give up said Debbie.
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