Robin Martin | Radio Ne Zealand
A South Taranaki iwi is getting behind a call for a moratorium on all seabed mining until the Government can prove its effects are minimal.
The Ngati Ruanui Runanga chief executive said the iwi was supporting a petition for a moratorium started by environmental group ‘Kiwis Against Seabed Mining’.
Debbie Ngarewa-Packer said Trans-Tasman Resources’ unsuccessful application for consents to mine ironsand off the South Taranaki coast showed that there were too many uncertainties in the controversial practice.
She said the Government should investigate seabed mining thoroughly and not rely on a few “guinea pig” areas to establish its environmental, cultural and economic impacts