Scoop has an Ethical Paywall
Work smarter with a Pro licence Learn More

Gordon Campbell | Parliament TV | Parliament Today | News Video | Crime | Employers | Housing | Immigration | Legal | Local Govt. | Maori | Welfare | Unions | Youth | Search

 

Navigating the Oil and Mining Debate in New Zealand

The Ground Between: Navigating the Oil and Mining Debate in New Zealand


There is a deep dysfunction in the way we talk about oil and mining.

Oil and mining developments in New Zealand are always contentious. From the 40,000 people who marched through Auckland in 2010 to protest mining in conversation areas, to protests against deep sea oil drilling, how we make decisions about these kinds of resources are never easy ones.

Regardless of the project in question, debates over oil and mining developments are fierce and polarised. Often presented as a simple trade-off between conservation or quick profit, the debate leaves little space for discussion.

In this new BWB Text, author Sefton Darby reflects frankly on the state of resource extraction in New Zealand, placing it within a global context. Darby is a Sydney-based consultant, with the rare experience of having worked for governments, private mining companies and NGOs.

Here he provides an insider perspective across the ideological divide and reflects frankly on the state of resource extraction in New Zealand. The Ground Between doesn’t seek to give a yes or no answer to whether New Zealand should extract, but rather, it explores the questions that should inform that decision. If you think you’ve made up your mind on oil or mining – whether for or against – this is essential reading.

Advertisement - scroll to continue reading

Are you getting our free newsletter?

Subscribe to Scoop’s 'The Catch Up' our free weekly newsletter sent to your inbox every Monday with stories from across our network.

Polarisation is increasingly a feature of New Zealand public debate: people pick their side, the battle lines are drawn, and productive conversation ends. The Ground Between is ultimately about how we – as a country – make decisions around contentious issues. Darby makes a compelling case that we need to do better.

About the Author

Sefton Darby is a Sydney-based consultant working on strategy development, community engagement, and overseas aid and development projects. His clients include governments, NGOs, corporations and multilateral organisations in New Zealand, Australia and globally.

Darby grew up on the Otago Peninsula and graduated with a BA (Hons) from the University of Otago, followed by an M.Litt. from the University of St Andrews in Scotland. He has worked on extractives governance issues since 2003 in Europe, the United States, New Zealand, Australia, West Africa and Central Asia for the British and New Zealand governments, the World Bank, NGOs and private mining companies.

His interests are in multi-stakeholder governance; the political and security impacts of climate change; and the future of the oil and mining sectors.

For more information, go to the BWB website.


ENDS


© Scoop Media

Advertisement - scroll to continue reading
 
 
 
Parliament Headlines | Politics Headlines | Regional Headlines


Gordon Campbell: On The US Opposition To Mortgage Interest Deductibility For Landlords


Should landlords be able to deduct the interest on the loans they take out to bankroll their property speculation? The US Senate Budget Committee and Bloomberg News don't think this is a good idea, for reasons set out below. Regardless, our coalition government has been burning through a ton of political capital by giving landlords a huge $2.9 billion tax break via interest deductibility, while still preaching the need for austerity to the disabled, and to everyone else...
More


 
 

Government: Concerns Conveyed To China Over Cyber Activity
Foreign Minister Winston Peters has confirmed New Zealand’s concerns about cyber activity have been conveyed directly to the Chinese Government. “The Prime Minister and Minister Collins have expressed concerns today about malicious cyber activity... More

ALSO:


Government: GDP Decline Reinforces Government’s Fiscal Plan

Declining GDP for the December quarter reinforces the importance of restoring fiscal discipline to public spending and driving more economic growth, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says... More

ALSO:


Government: Humanitarian Support For Gaza & West Bank

Winston Peters has announced NZ is providing a further $5M to respond to the extreme humanitarian need in Gaza and the West Bank. “The impact of the Israel-Hamas conflict on civilians is absolutely appalling," he said... More


Government: New High Court Judge Appointed

Judith Collins has announced the appointment of Wellington Barrister Jason Scott McHerron as a High Court Judge. Justice McHerron graduated from the University of Otago with a BA in English Literature in 1994 and an LLB in 1996... More

 
 
 
 
 
 

LATEST HEADLINES

  • PARLIAMENT
  • POLITICS
  • REGIONAL
 
 

InfoPages News Channels


 
 
 
 

Join Our Free Newsletter

Subscribe to Scoop’s 'The Catch Up' our free weekly newsletter sent to your inbox every Monday with stories from across our network.