By Andy Kenworthy
Posted on April 30, 2010. Listed in:
The government has announced the extension of submissions on mining in conservation areas until 5pm on 26 May.
The process outlined in the discussion paper Maximising our Mineral Potential: Stocktake of Schedule 4 of the Crown Minerals Act and beyond was originally due to end on May 4. But Gerry Brownlee, minister of Energy and Resources, said the extension would provide more time for iwi in effected areas to have their say.
“Cabinet agreed hui would be held with iwi significantly affected by the government’s proposals. These meetings will be held in early May. It is important that iwi have an opportunity to provide written submissions after the hui.”
The Ministry of Economic Development has received over 14,000 submissions to date.
Asked whether shifting the deadline may take the wind out of the Don’t Undermine New Zealand march on May 1, Kathy Cumming, spokesperson for march organizers Greenpeace said: “I only wish we had that much influence over the government’s thinking. I think it’s that the iwi on Barrier have come out of the woodwork and said ‘get fucked’. I don’t think the march will lose its impact.”
“The Schedule 4 issue is a smokescreen, they will probably drop the Barrier, but push for Coromandel as there’s a shit load of gold there. But it is basically about a huge expansion in lignite coal mining. The rest is a distraction. And they are going to burn that coal in New Zealand.”
According to Radio New Zealand:
Iwi on Great Barrier Island are likely to oppose mining there, saying the area is under dispute in a Treaty of Waitangi claim and contains sacred sites.
The Ngati Rehua hapu has a claim with the Waitangi Tribunal for most of the island.
Chair Rawiri Wharemate says some elders say there are wahi tapu, or sacred sites, on the Ahumata Plateau, where mining is proposed.
He also says the Government failed to warn the hapu about its plans.
Mr Wharemate says elders will make the final decision on whether to formally oppose the mining.
