Public views to be sought on ‘no new mines on conservation land’ policy implementation

Public input will be sought on proposals to enact the Government’s policy of no new mines on conservation land, Conservation Minister, Eugenie Sage announced today.

Last November, in her Speech from the Throne, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern announced there would be no new mines on conservation land.

The Conservation Minister Eugenie Sage and Energy and Resources Minister Megan Woods, will consult the mining sector, iwi, local government, environmental and community groups, and the wider public, through a discussion document to be released in September.

“Public conservation lands and waters are protected as places where nature can thrive and for New Zealanders and visitors to enjoy,” Eugenie Sage said.

“Mining generally degrades or destroys natural areas and the places that our unique birds, plants and insects live. It permanently changes natural features and landscapes and has significant water pollution risks.

“The discussion document will canvas options for implementing the policy and actions that flow out of that.

“We will also work closely with our Treaty partners throughout the process of defining how the policy will be implemented,” Eugenie Sage said.

Currently a range of mining activities occur on public conservation land, ranging from coal mines through to alluvial gold mines and gravel extraction, with the majority on the West Coast, Otago and Coromandel. There are also mines in Southland, Tasman and Otago. There are 113 approved mining operations on Conservation Land and 54 of these are active.

In New Zealand most mining, and all large scale mining, occurs off conservation land. 

“The discussion document will be a chance for the public and stakeholders to contribute their views on the issues Government needs to consider in implementing the policy, the best tools to use and how transitional arrangements could work,” Eugenie Sage said.

There will be no change to the status quo until final decisions on how to implement the policy direction are made.

Latest Climate Change Announcements

Story

International Energy Agency issues wake-up call on climate action

Today’s report from the International Energy Agency highlights how far this Government’s actions are dragging us backwards in the fight against cli...
Read More

Story

Work to do on climate adaptation

The Finance and Expenditure Committee’s inquiry into climate adaptation is something that must be built on for an enduring framework to manage clim...
Read More

Story

Green Government will revoke oil and gas permits

The Green Party vows to reinstate the oil and gas ban and revoke permits when it returns to government following the coalition’s introduction of le...
Read More

Story

Govt must act to avoid the worst of NIWA’s climate projections

New climate projections from NIWA underscore how urgently climate action is needed.
Read More

Story

Government back off track on climate action

Today’s Draft Emissions Reduction Plan shows the Government couldn’t care less about a liveable climate for all.
Read More

Story

Failure of climate auction highlights government inaction

The lack of bids at today’s ETS auction is a sad indictment on this Government's staggering indifference to the climate crisis and their lack of a ...
Read More

Latest Conservation Announcements

Story

Labour must deliver on No New Mines

The Green Party is disappointed tonight that the Government has voted down Eugenie Sage’s members’ bill to stop new mining on conservation land. Th...
Read More

Story

Inquiry into forestry slash and land use welcome, but more needed

Today’s news of a Ministerial inquiry into forestry slash and land use in Te Tarāwhiti/Gisborne and Wairoa is welcome, but the forestry sector shou...
Read More

Story

Time for Labour to deliver on No New Mines

The Green Party is today welcoming reports of Government progress towards having no new mines on conservation land.
Read More

Story

Urgent action needed at home following global deal for nature

The Green Party welcomes an historic new global agreement to protect 30% of the planet for nature by the end of the decade and calls on the Governm...
Read More

Story

Swimmable rivers and healthy lakes could soon be out of reach

The Green Party is calling on the Government to tighten the rules on synthetic fertiliser use and intensive land use, including intensive winter gr...
Read More

Story

Bill to ban mining on conservation land pulled from biscuit tin

Following months of work by the Green Party and community and environmental organisations, Parliament will have the opportunity to pass legislation...
Read More

Latest Environment Announcements

Story

Fast-Track, off the rails: Submitters show strong opposition to Bill

Despite resounding public opposition, the fast-track legislation is being pushed through Parliament with provisions that could have real consequenc...
Read More

Story

Govt’s shameful backtrack on marine conservation

The Green Party has condemned the Government’s late change to allow commercial fishing in protected areas in the Hauraki Gulf.
Read More

Story

Trojan Horse approach to fast-track projects threatens environment

The Government’s fast-track list is another example of its reckless approach to the environment and disregard for due process. 
Read More

Story

Greens call for public to back Wrybill in BOTY and beyond

The Green Party is calling on the public to support the Ngutu Pare Wrybill not just in this year’s Bird of the Year competition but also in pushing...
Read More

Story

Fast track still on track to environmental destruction

Our environment remains at risk despite the Government's proposed changes to its controversial fast-track legislation. 
Read More

Story

Government throws the environment on the scrap heap

The Government has shown its disdain for nature by undermining and cutting programmes which protect and conserve our environment.
Read More