Govt's green credentials queried after park changed to help miners

Labour is questioning the Government's commitment to conservation, after a decision to change the boundaries of a conservation park because of mining interests.

Energy spokesman Charles Chauvel questioned Energy and Resources Minister Gerry Brownlee in the House yesterday over the decision to alter the boundaries of Oteake Conservation Park in Otago-Southland.

The Government changed the boundaries to accommodate mining company L&M.

Mr Chauvel questioned the decision.

"It's no coincidence that the same area excluded from the park is the very area that L&M asked the Department of Conservation and presumably Crown Minerals to exclude. Do we have a situation here where any time a mining interest wants to have a national park [adjusted] they can just tell the Government what they want and they get a sympathetic hearing?"

Under the previous Government, the park included areas of lignite deposits, despite lobbying from L&M and Crown Minerals to exclude them.

In March Mr Brownlee had a meeting with Conservation Minister Tim Groser, who changed the park boundaries in April.

Mr Brownlee rubbished suggestions that the Government was in the pocket of mining interests.

"We've made no secret of the fact that we think New Zealand can make more of its mineral estate.

"It would be kind of silly, having just won an election, to start locking it up."

L&M had never directly or indirectly lobbied him, but he knew of its position through its lobbying of DoC and the support of Crown Minerals.

A DoC document from August 2008 shows the land - 215ha of a 65,000ha park - had a high conservation value, as well as potential for mineral and coal wealth.