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March 14, 2024
Ngarewa-Packer says Jones forced wahangu on TTR mining
Peter Verschaffelt
Posted On March 14, 2024
Download AudioMāori Party co-leader Debbie Ngarewa-Packer says New Zealand First Minister Shane Jones has been caught out over seabed mining.
A reapplication by Trans Tasman Resources for a consent to extract 50 million tonnes a year of iron sand from off south Taranaki is being considered this week in Hawera by the Environment Protection Agency.
Mr Jones has called seabed mining a legitimate industry, but last week said he had formally stood aside from any consideration of the TTR project because of potential conflict between his Resources and Oceans and Fisheries portfolios.
Ms Ngarewa-Packer, who led initial opposition to the project from Ngati Ruanui, says Mr Jones should have seen the conflict earlier.
“He forgot that one of the biggest supporters with for the past 12 years in opposing seabed mining is Talley’s and the fishing industry so he’s really been caught with his pants down twice now and the fact he’s had to sit there and claw back and suddenly go wahangu which … a silent shame is even better than a shifty shame,” Ms Ngarewa-Packer says.
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