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

 

Supreme Court Slams Door On Seabed Mining, Time For A Ban

Today the Supreme Court has unanimously dismissed Trans Tasman Resources’ (TTR) appeal of a 2018 High Court ruling which quashed the EPA's decision in 2017 to give the miners resource consent to begin a giant seabed mining operation in the South Taranaki Bight.

Greenpeace is hailing the ruling as a victory for iwi, hapū, local communities, environmental campaigners and for the ocean, and says the decision effectively renders the project dead in the water.

TTR has spent almost ten years trying to get the go ahead to dig up 50 million tonnes of seabed in a 66 square kilometre area in the South Taranaki Bight, every year for 35 years, to access five million tonnes of iron ore, and dump the rest back into the ocean.

In dismissing TTR's latest appeal to mine, the Supreme Court stated that environmental protection is the bottom line.

Greenpeace Aotearoa Seabed Mining Campaigner James Hita said today’s announcement is a win for people and a win for nature.

"This ruling is a victory for the ocean, and for people power. For the better part of a decade, iwi, Greenpeace, KASM and coastal communities have worked together to oppose the proposal to mine in the South Taranaki Bight. And today we won."

Another key part of the ruling was the acknowledgement that Tikanga should have been recognised as binding and must be taken into account as part of the application process.

"This decision sends a clear message to other mining companies waiting in the wings: you’re not wanted in Aotearoa or the Pacific. As an island nation in the South Pacific, it is essential that Aotearoa joins the Pacific Blue Line against seabed mining, and stands in solidarity with our Pacific neighbours in keeping the door shut to exploitative seabed mining companies," says Hita.

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.

The South Taranaki Bight is home to New Zealand’s own population of Pygmy blue whales, māui dolphins and blue penguins. It also has a vibrant coral reef system. All of this unique beauty would have been under threat if seabed mining had been given the go ahead.

While this decision means TTR does not have consent to mine, other mining companies are vying for access to the waters of Aotearoa. There are currently four seabed mining exploration permits held by other companies, including Chatham Rock Phosphate, but they will need marine consent permits of the kind addressed by the Supreme Court.

Hita says the ruling today should serve as a warning to prospecting seabed miners, that they will meet strong resistance in Aotearoa.

"The decision today will have a huge impact on the legitimacy of this new mining industry in the Pacific and around the world. But we can’t rely on communities and environmental groups to fight every mining company that knocks on the door. The New Zealand Government must implement a ban now and ensure our door is always closed to seabed mining companies."

© Scoop Media

 
 
 
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.