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Labour’s Maori and economic development spokesperson, Shane Jones, is welcoming the publication of a book on Maori in Mining.
The book pulled together by Otago University’s school of business includes explanations of a range of mining techniques proposed for New Zealand and the likely impact on Maori communities and iwi.
Mr Jones says the debate over balancing resource extraction with environmental and social factors is needed.
"More and More of our academics are looking as to what is it that lies at the centre of a lot of the Maori opposition. Is it an intrinsic dislike of this type of economic activity, or is it a conclusion that it happens and Maori are just passive bystanders and there is no direct benefit to local communities, to whanau, to our young people, and I think that is a fair debate to have," he says.
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