Seabed mining was the subject of four full-on days of debate in the Wellington High Court last week, Ngāti Ruanui chief executive Debbie Ngarewa-Packer says.
Her South Taranaki iwi was one of seven parties appealing the Environmental Protection Authority's decision to allow iron-sand mining offshore from Patea.
Mining company Trans-Tasman Resources (TTR) wants to suck up 50 million tonnes of sand a year from the seabed, and export 10 per cent to Asia.
It got consent in August last year. The consent relied on a deciding vote by the chairman of a four-member decision-making committee.
The parties' appeal was heard by Justice Peter Churchman and ended on April 19. He said the matter was complex and unique, and he expected to make a decision within three to six months.