May 07, 2013
Taranaki iwi struggle with oil industry
Iwi in Taranaki are concerned about further intensification of oil and gas exploration in their rohe.
Energy Minister Simon Bridges has opened up further areas for exploration, including three onshore blocks in Taranaki.
Two other blocks were deferred because of the density of wahi tapū sites and the time needed for more consultation with iwi.
Taranaki iwi General Manager Liana Poutu says unlike other regions Taranaki has a long history of oil and gas extraction, which has created challenges for iwi.
She says iwi are now in a better position to fight for their waahi tapū, but there are still divisions about the overall approach.
"There is the view that we need to be involved. We need to understand the industry, so that we can better protect sites, help with the environmental protection, hold companies to account to some extent, and obviously there are whānau whose livelihoods are in this industry, so there is an element of support there," she says.
Liana Poutu says in the past couple of years iwi have been starting to form relationships with oil and gas companies that lead to opportunities for environmental protection programmes, employment and education scholarships.
Copyright © 2013, Uma Broadcasting Ltd