June 06, 2013
Māori trampled on in mining rush
A Far North iwi chair says the Government needs to recognise Māori customary interests when developing its mineral extraction policies.
Haami Piripi from Te Rarawa is heading a technical working group set up by the Tai Tokerau Iwi Chairs Forum to assess the risks and potential benefits of the Government’s mining regime.
He says the north has some of the highest levels of socio economic deprivation in the country, so mining jobs would be welcome, but not at any price.
"The Government I think has overstepped itself here because on one hand it is saying to us we need to work together, collaborate in the best interests of the country, make compromises along the way, but it's like the old gold rush again, everyone tramples all over us when the gold rush begins and that's sort of what is happening with the exploration regime," he says.
Haami Piripi says internationally mining companies seem more open to consideration of customary interests than government are.
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