Terrence ‘Mook’ Hohneck, Chairman of the Ngāti Manuhiri Settlement Trust, has welcomed the signing of an agreement between the Trust and McCallum Bros Limited, which brings an end to sand dredging at Pākiri.

“We have continuously opposed the extraction of sand from the seabed at Pākiri since the application was lodged, so this withdrawal is a welcome end to many years of legal efforts to protect our taiao,” Mook says.

“As noted by the Environment Court, it was clear that ongoing adverse effects to both Ngā One Haea Pākiri Beach and potentially to nationally endangered species like the tara iti (fairy tern) could occur through the continued abstraction of sand.

“For over eighty years, sand has been actively extracted from the seabed off the coast of Pākiri — and it has been our whānau, our communities, who have seen the impacts of these activities.

“We stood strong against future dredging at Te Paepae ō Tū over the next 35 years, with the potential to see nearly 8.5 million cubic metres of sand removed from our rohe.

“The extraction of minerals and resources from the sea floor, whether through dredging sand or other means, has undoubtedly contributed to erosion along the shores of Pākiri Beach.

“While some groups have sought private benefit from their engagement with seabed sand miners, the Trust has consistently stood for the protection and restoration of our taiao.

“We recognise that sand is crucial to the production of concrete - but any sand mining that occurs in Aotearoa must be done in a way that mitigates environmental impact and puts the health of our taiao first.”

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