The Government continues to undermine regional New Zealand, with Conservation Minister Eugenie Sage "scuttling" a plan to extract waxes and resins from peat at Kaimaumau, and in the process creating jobs, according to National's regional development spokesman Paul Goldsmith.
"For all its talk about helping people in Northland to get ahead, Eugenie Sage has put politics ahead of creating jobs in the region," he said.
"The joint venture by Ngai Takoto and Resin & Wax Holdings to extract valuable waxes and resins would help secure the iwi its economic and environmental future, but Ms Sage is now getting in the way of that, and appears to be doing all she can to stop it.
"She is making no attempt to strike a balance between managing our environment and responsible economic growth.
"The iwi has said that while the venture would provide jobs and opportunities for its people, the environment is also a primary focus. The consented area for extraction avoids conservation land.
