Media Release

EPA Processes on TTR Continue to Disappoint Iwi

For Immediate Release

12pm, Wednesday, 8 February 2017

Process concerns persist about EPA handling of Trans-Tasman Resources Application

The three iwi in Taranaki most affected by the proposed Trans-Tasman Resources (TTR) proposal to mine iron-ore off the South Taranaki Blight continue to raise concerns about the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) processes and whether the organisation has sufficient resources assigned to properly assess the application.

In the latest development, Te Korowai o Ngāruahine Trust Kaitumuaki Cassandra Crowley says iwi were surprised by the most recent Decision Making Committee announcement. “To have the EPA announce a pre-hearing conference on the Friday before a long weekend, namely Waitangi weekend, a time of huge national significance for us all, particularly for Māori is astounding.” says Crowley. “Announcing a hui to consider critical matters of the hearing process with only a week’s notice, requiring rsvp only two working days later speaks volumes to the very concerns iwi and others in the South Taranaki community have about the EPA process.”

TTR first lodged an application to mine off the South Taranaki coastline in 2013, which was subsequently declined by the EPA. The currently application was lodged in 2016 and like the original application has again been met by strong community opposition within South Taranaki.

Local iwi Ngāruahine, Ngaa Rauru and Ngāti Ruanui have expressed concerns about the EPA process throughout the latest application.

“We have several concerns about the EPA process and have expressed these in previous engagements on other consent applications. It is surprising that we find out about matters such as a pre-hearing conference via our own search of a website for updates. This is on top of a range of other issues from the minor, such as our submission being left off the EPA’s compiled list of all submissions, to the more significant such as overturned decisions to withhold critical application information we have limited confidence in the rigour of the process.”

“As a matter of natural justice, we have to question the gaps in some of these processes and indeed why hearings are being held away from the affected area, which is also the location of the bulk of and indeed most affected submitters.”

“At such short notice, it is difficult for iwi and many other Taranaki community based submitters and individuals to attend a hui in Wellington – yet critical technical aspects of how technical submissions will be determined at this conference.”

Crowley says “The significance of this mining application for iwi is difficult, if not impossible, to overstate. Our preference would be to have confidence in the robustness and equity of the process and to be able to focus our efforts into the substance of discussions, however, the procedural inadequacies continue to consume our attention.”

- ENDS

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