Taranaki seabed mining application rejected – how the Treaty protected Aotearoa (and Pākehā) once again
The rejection of the Taranaki seabed mining application is more than an environmental win — it is another reminder that the Treaty of Waitangi remains one of the strongest protections against reckless corporate exploitation in Aotearoa, safeguarding Māori rights, our moana, and ultimately all New Zealanders.
Massive win for moana as Taranaki seabed mining application rejected
Massive win for moana as Taranaki seabed mining application rejected
Greenpeace Aotearoa, alongside iwi and environmental groups, are calling the decision to reject Trans Tasman Resources’ proposal to mine the Taranaki seafloor “a massive win for people power and the ocean”.
In a draft decision released today, the Fast Track expert panel declined the Australian company’s application to mine the seabed in the South Taranaki Bight.
The panel found the proposal would likely cause material harm to marine ecosystems, including threatened species such as pygmy blue whales and penguins, and concluded the project could not be safely managed — even with conditions attached.
Greenpeace Aotearoa seabed mining spokesperson Juressa Lee said:
“This is the outcome we have been fighting for over 12 years. It shows exactly what happens when communities, iwi, experts and ocean protectors stand together.
“This win is a powerful validation of what iwi and the communities of Taranaki and Aotearoa have been saying for years — seabed mining is simply too destructive to go ahead.”
Fast-Track powers fail in the face of environmental reality
Despite fast-tracking powers and this Government’s attempts to water down environmental protections, this act of environmental vandalism has been stopped — thanks in large part to sustained iwi resistance, environmental activism, and the enduring force of the Treaty of Waitangi.
The Treaty of Waitangi as environmental protection
- Decision-makers were legally required to consider impacts on iwi rights, customary interests, and Treaty obligations as part of the statutory process.
- Concerns raised by Māori included damage to kaimoana, disruption of coastal ecosystems, and breaches of kaitiakitanga responsibilities — all principles recognised in New Zealand environmental law and grounded in the Treaty.
- These Treaty-based considerations strengthened the case against the project, particularly around the protection of taonga species and marine environments.
- Once again, the Treaty has protected Pākehā from the worst excesses of environmental destruction — even when Governments try to look the other way.
Once again the Treaty protects Pakeha from the worst environmental damage!
FAQ:
Why was Taranaki seabed mining rejected?
Massive win for the moana as Taranaki seabed mining application rejected – Greenpeace
Hopefully the first of many slap downs for this government of mass destruction .This is a major win for all of NZ .
We should not reject oil and gas exploration outright, so long as the proposal is shown to have a clear benefit to the country. Norway is one of the richest countries in the world, with the best welfare system, a social democratic exemplar – built on exploitation of its oil and gas resources.
So the fast track system works? The right descision made quickly saves everyone except law firm balance sheets.
Many on this site would be sad to see that a setup from the Coalition has worked as intended and protected the environment. The loser may appeal but that’s justice being seen to be done .
The applications by Trans Tasman Resources was a particularly poor application, the science they were using was ten years old. Even when it was new it was completely unable to validate TTR’s claims that they wouldn’t do substantial damage to the environment.
My pet conspiracy theory is that the government let this one go through, knowing it would be turned down and it would look like they had a robust process.
My preferred theory is that Shane Jones is too lazy to find out if TTR was actually a bad bet and is unaware that he’s been flogging a dead horse this entire time 🙂