Whanganui seabed protesters: 'We're doing this for our kids'

Protest organiser Te Huatahi Hawira and her daughter, Rahera-Ocean, at Castlecliff beach. Photo/Stuart Munro

A Whanganuii mother has organised a protest against seabed mining off the South Taranaki coast, saying they are doing it for their children.

The Wanganui Chronicle spoke with protest organiser, Te Huatahi Hawira, who is of Ngā Rauru descent, and has taken part in seabed mining protests in Patea.

In August, the Environmental Protection Agency granted Trans Tasman Resources a 35-year consent to mine the ironsands off the coast from Patea.

The protest will take place at Castlecliff at noon on Tuesday. There will be speakers, and a human chain formed along the beach.

"I'm looking at it from the stance of a solo mum speaking up for her children, and her children's future," Ms Hawira said.

"This is not just about South Taranaki - this will affect Whanganui, and all the west coast down to Wellington. There are a lot of people in Whanganui who are angry about this, and we wanted to give them a chance to have their say."

She said the mining was a mistake that she wanted to prevent happening, for her children's sake.

"A clean, safe environment will last longer than short-term economic gain. No one actually knows what will happen [as a result of the mining]. Do we want to sacrifice our environment for our greed?" Ms Hawira said.

"If we allow Trans Tasman Resources to come in, this will open the door for other mining companies."

Ms Hawira was hoping for a good turnout, and everyone was welcome.

The protest will take place at noon on September 19 at the Duncan Pavilion, Castlecliff beach. The human chain will happen at 1pm. If the weather is bad, the protest will be moved inside.