Te Pāti Māori Co-leader Debbie Ngarewa-Packer says today’s draft decision to decline the Trans-Tasman Resources seabed mining proposal is a win for those who have spent years fighting to protect our moana.

It is also a clear failure of the Government’s Fast-track agenda pushed by Shane Jones, “Even under a Fast-track system designed to push projects through, this proposal failed. Under Shane Jones’ own legislation, it was turned down.”

Led by Ngāti Ruanui Iwi the seabed mining proposal faced sustained opposition across Taranaki and te Tai Hauāuru coast. “My 84 year old Papa is ecstatic.”

In its 436-page report, the Expert Panel found the project should be declined because the adverse effects on the environment and tikanga Māori values outweighed the benefits.

“This was meant to showcase Fast-track. Instead, it shows exactly why it doesn’t work,” Ngarewa-Packer said.

“Fast-track doesn’t remove risk. It removes accountability. And bad projects still fail.”

While the company may still attempt to challenge the decision, Te Pāti Māori says this moment belongs to those iwi, hapū and coastal communities who held the line.

“Our moana is not for sale”

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