Whangaroa hapū celebrate end of plans to mine the area as mining giant pulls out

Whangaroa hapū and Forest & Bird members at Manginangina Scenic Reserve, in a kauri forest west of Kerikeri, protesting mineral prospecting permits on conservation land last year. Their opposition has seen an Australian company pull out of plans to mine the area.

Whangaroa hapū are celebrating ‘beating toxic mining’ after an Australian mining giant pulled out of plans to explore for minerals in a Far North forest reserve.

In 2022 Mineralogy International, owned by Australian mining billionaire Clive Palmer, was granted a prospecting permit for lithium and rare earth elements over part of Puketi Forest, which includes Manginangina Scenic Reserve.

Whangaroa hapū united at the time to oppose the plan, joining forces as the Whangaroa Stop Toxic Mining Alliance (K.A.T.I) and getting support from Forest & Bird and other environmental groups.

However, this week K.A.T.I. strategist Mike Smith said the hapū and supporters are celebrating after Minerology withdrew from the permit and closed its NZ office.

The group opposed against the plan included a protest in the forest in April 2023, and has credited its campaign for forcing the company to withdraw, in direct response to the collective objections of local residents and community leaders.

New Zealand Petroleum and Minerals controls mining permits in the country and a spokesperson said Mineralogy International Ltd applied to surrender 15 of its 16 prospecting and exploration permits around New Zealand in December last year.

“The permits, which were a mix of gold and other minerals [predominantly, lithium and rare earth elements], covered approximately 225,000 hectares of land in Northland, Waikato, Canterbury and the West Coast,” the spokesperson said.

Mineralogy’s one remaining New Zealand permit is an exploration permit located in Waikato.

“We’re very pleased about that [withdrawal]. That’s the fifth time we’ve chased away mining companies from our rohe and it’s been an ongoing struggle the last few years, but we’ve been determined that we wouldn’t give up protecting our health and our environment,” Smith said.

“We would also like to send a clear and unequivocal message to any other mining company considering operating in the Whangaroa District: we will resist any and all attempts to mine our sacred lands. We will continue to stand as one to protect our environment, our people, and our culture.”

He also wanted to address the role of certain political figures in this process.

“We condemn the actions of the Minister for Mining, Shane Jones, for his encouragement of extractive industries in regions like ours, where he has no jurisdiction. His failure to listen to local communities and respect our ancestral rights is a troubling example of the disregard shown for tangata whenua," Smith said.

“Additionally, we express our disappointment with the Ministry for Conservation and the Ministry for the Environment, whose failure to act in support of the Whangaroa community has been a significant hindrance in the protection of our lands. Their inertia in addressing the destructive potential of toxic mining operations in areas of cultural and environmental importance has further demonstrated a lack of true commitment to the protection of New Zealand’s natural heritage.”

He said the campaign against the mining was a clear reminder that when tangata whenua are respected and supported, there is no force more powerful than a community united in purpose.

“We stand together in victory and are ready to protect our whenua and our future from further threats.”

Smith said the message going forward was simple - Whangaroa hapū would not support any mining as it threatened the health of the awa, the harbour and the people of the area.

“We have got a pristine area here that we should be promoting to tourists around the world. We’re got the beautiful Whangaroa Harbour and outstanding scenery that we should be promoting. Toxic mining will destroy that.

“And it’s not good for human health with toxic dust and other chemicals from mining and we want to protect the health and wellbeing of our people.”

He also questioned whether mining would provide many jobs or economic benefit for the local community.

“Mining is very boom and bust and when things go bust, they often withdraw and leave behind their toxic mess, but taking the profits. We don’t want that to happen here. And these industries require highly skilled workers, who would come from overseas as we do not have them here, so any local jobs would likely below paid ... then there’s the damage to the environment, we don’t want those toxic wastes leaching into our beautiful harbour.”

The coalition said the victory ensures that the district’s precious environment, including the wellbeing of local hapū communities, will be safeguarded for generations to come.

“This marks a significant win for our people and a powerful affirmation that when we stand united, we can protect what matters most: our land, our health, and our future. The success of this campaign was driven by the unwavering leadership of our local communities, who stood firm in their commitment to opposing the destructive impacts of toxic mining.

“Our gratitude goes out to the people of Ngāi Tupango, Ngāti Ruamahue, Ngāti Kura, Te Rūnanga o Whāingaroa, and numerous leaders from around the district who have stood together in solidarity together with our friends from Forest and Bird and Greenpeace.”

Robyn Tauroa, from Te Runanga o Whaingaroa, said: “The land is sacred to us, and the river, the forest, the mountain — they are not just resources to be extracted. They are our tūpuna, our family. We will never allow outside interests to poison our whenua, and today, we can celebrate the fact that our children and mokopuna will be able to grow up in a healthy and thriving Whangaroa.”