Swamp kauri wetlands too valuable to rip up

The Greens in Government would put a moratorium on further mining of swamp kauri after new research reveals huge tracts of wetland, currently able to be mined without a resource consent, may be more ecologically valuable than first thought, the Green Party said today.

Research by the Ministry for Primary Industries released today shows that almost 80 percent of land containing swamp kauri may have significant ecological value, despite these areas currently being classified as “unlikely” to have any. It also estimates that potentially 50 percent of known swamp kauri has already been extracted in New Zealand.

“We simply shouldn’t be ripping up our wetlands for short-term profit when the environmental destruction will last for generations to come," said Green Party environment spokesperson Eugenie Sage.

“Wetlands are destroyed in the process of mining swamp kauri - wetlands which are essential for land to retain water long-term and that act as natural purifiers for the water we drink.

“This land is regarded as having no identifiable ecological value so Northland councils are unlikely to bat an eyelid if someone jumps on a digger and starts ripping up a wetland to get to the kauri.

"This is a prime example of a short term, high impact extractive industry exploiting a scarce and finite resource.

“The National Government is allowing our environment to be trashed for scant return. Hardly any jobs are created in Northland or elsewhere as swamp kauri is shipped off overseas with virtually no value-added locally.

"Nathan Guy needs to stand up to this industry and stop allowing this precious taonga to be mined until we know if and how it can be done sustainably," Ms Sage said.

Action

How to get involved - Treaty Principles

Information on how to make a submission, volunteer or run your own event.

Action

Submit for Climate Action

Submit today to ask the Government to commit to strong Climate Change targets.

Action

Treaty Principles - Make a submission

Join our submission. Let's make it clear that we do not support the Treaty Principles bill.

Action

Ditch the Bootcamps - Sign our petition

Sign our petition demanding an end to bootcamps for children.

Action

Build Dunedin Hospital

Take our poll on how the Government should spend its money, and email Christopher Luxon telling him your thoughts.

Action

Oil & Gas Quick Submissions 2024

Sign the quick submission to save the oil & gas ban!

Action

Stop Fast-track Destruction

Join our call to stop the Fast-track Approvals Bill.

Action

Protect te reo Māori

Sign our petition asking Minister Erica Stanford to keep prioritising the teaching of te reo Māori.

Action

Cut the Coal Petition | Join the movement

Fight back: Tell the government that coal mining is not our future.

Action

Protect Our Freshwater

Join our Green MPs in calling for the government to protect freshwater. Proposed changes to the Resource Management Act threaten New Zealand's...

Volunteer

The Greens are proud to be driven by passionate people like you. Today we need your help to take action on the biggest issues facing Aotearoa. Volu...

Action

Expand Voting

Now more than ever, young people in Aotearoa are impacted by Government decisions, and they deserve to have a say. We are calling on all Members of...

Action

End Intensive Winter Grazing

Sign the petition to Labour Ministers, to move faster in bringing regulations into force and end intensive winter grazing.

Action

Healthy Oceans 2022

Join our Healthy Oceans Crew to help us keep the health and protection of our oceans high on the Labour Government’s political agenda.

Action

Local Events

We have activists across Aotearoa / New Zealand who are working hard to build a brighter future for our kids and grandkids. This page lists upcomin...

Latest Environment Announcements

Story

Government’s move to monetise access to nature a slippery slope

The Green Party is voicing serious concerns over the Government’s proposal to charge for access to public conservation land, released today.

Fast Track Bill threatens environment, climate and reputation

The fast-track legislation passing its second reading in Parliament is another step towards environmental ruin.

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...

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.

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.

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...