May 07, 2013
Little protection in exploration regime
An iwi manager says the new mineral prospecting process doesn’t provide enough protection for the environment or waahi tapu.
Energy Minister Simon Bridges has called for tenders for oil and gas exploration permits for onshore blocks in Taranaki and the East Coast, and offshore in the Taranaki, Northland and Great South-Canterbury basins.
Liana Poutu from Taranaki iwi says the block offer process still has teething problems, in particular the lack of mechanisms to protect fisheries, waahi tapu, urupa or other sites of environmental or historical significance.
She says iwi like Taranaki whose land was confiscated face challenges with using the Resource Management Act for protection, because they need landowner consent before they act.
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