Government Continues Failure to Engage

TE POU KŌRERO - HŌTOKE 2024

The Government's Environmental Select Committee is refusing to engage meaningfully when it matters the most over new fast tracking environmental legislation. 

Of the 27,000 submissions made only 1100 will be given a chance to speak before the committee. 

Te Rūnanga o Ngāti Ruanui Trust Tume W’akaae Haimona Maruera said the bill was already critically inconsistent with the principles of the Treaty, and both the Fisheries and Aquaculture Settlements. 

“Now, hundreds of people will be barred from speaking against a bill that proposes to strip away public consultation,” he said. 

“In our ro’e we have seen tremendous support for our fight against seabed mining off the Taranaki coast. And our decade-long kaupapa will not be silenced in the halls of power by the luck of the draw.” 

When Trans-Tasman Resources Ltd suddenly sulked away from their latest bid to gain consent earlier this year, it showed us they were eyeing an opportunity to circumvent the will of the people. 

“Make no mistake, this bill goes beyond fast-tracking. This is about offering a golden ticket to a select few, who can bypass environmental checkpoints and independent oversight. 

“The possibility one of those golden tickets could be passed to Trans-Tasman Resources is unacceptable to Ngāti Ruanui.