Taranaki Iwi Call to Halt Seismic Blasting

Taranaki iwi with support from hapū and a range of groups are calling the new government to stand by their commitment to the ocean and climate.

The Amazon Warrior, the world’s largest seismic exploration ship, is just days away from the South Taranaki Bight, but the government has not yet approved the permit.

Taranaki Kaumatua and Chairman for Te Kahui o Rauru, Te Pahunga Davis says today is a perfect opportunity for Jacinda Adern and the Labour Party to stand by it’s own words about taking climate change seriously.

“When we all met on Monday, all of the Taranaki iwi supported this kaupapa and endorsed the petition” he says.

Every day over 1000 people are signing the Petition calling a Halt to Siesmic Testing in Taranaki Moana.

The Petition states: “They will blast every 10seconds, every hour, 24hrs from November to March, towing air cannons and seismic arrays kilometres long to hunt for oil up to 4km deep in the seabed and within a couple of kilometres of the foreshore.”

“The previous government permitted this prior to the world famous discovery of a blue whale habitat, Taranaki moana is their only known feeding ground in Aotearoa.

Taranaki moana is also the habitat of our almost extinct Popoto, the world's rarest and smallest dolphin. Both species rely on sonar to communicate and navigate.”

“As we face the climate change emergency all over the world, the threats to ou rwhānau, our culture and all future generations increase with every new fossil fuel
exploration permit.”

“We already feel the effects as the temperature rises; severe droughts causing wildfires, storms causing severe floods, sea level rise and erosion concerning our coastal Marae and communities.”

“Burning fossil fuels lies at the heart of this threat, and we know the whole world is preparing to transition away from oil, gas and coal to support new forms of
sustainable energy as a matter of urgency.”

“We are asking for all future oil exploration permits to be cancelled to support Aotearoa, New Zealand progress towards a zero carbon economy by 2050.”

“As the people of the lands and seas of the West Coast, we are inviting all of our relations, along with everyone in Aotearoa and across the globe who care about our oceans, and our future to sign in support.”

ENDS

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