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Download AudioTāngaro Tuia te Ora Endangered Species Foundation co-chair Tawera Nikau says sand mining in Bream Bay threatens their entire ecosystem.
This afternoon, Nikau presented a 14,000-signature petition to Green MP Hūhana Lyndon, who is leading parliamentary opposition to the proposed 35-year sand extraction project.
He says the mining process creates silt plumes that destroy breeding and feeding areas vital to kai moana.
Local iwi and residents are speaking out to prevent mistakes done outside from being repeated.
“You know, we’ve seen the degradation of the Waitematā harbor over a number of years now. Hence, mana whenua, iwi, local residents, are all up in arms because we’re trying to protect this for our future generations,” says Nikau.
Tawera Nikau says economic development is not a valid excuse for Māori to accept the violation of their foreshore and seabed.
Another public protest is scheduled, with a flotilla planned at Bream Bay on March 16.
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