Mining is polarising for Maori because tensions arise between jobs, economic prosperity and kaitiaki. Photo / Thinkstock
Tai Tokerau iwi leaders are open to mining in the north - but say not every mining proposal will be backed if it doesn't meet with environmental standards.
In April, Energy and Resources minister Simon Bridges detailed three areas where oil and gas exploration permits were up for auction. In
total the offer included 189,000 square kilometres of offshore and over 1,500 square kilometres of onshore area.
In Northland there were three regions in the Reinga-Northland Basins up for auction and this week the Tai Tokerau Iwi Chairs Forum, which is made up of eight tribes met to discuss the issue.
Forum spokesman Haami Piripi said the group had set up a technical working group to meet with industry stakeholders, conduct further research and complete an analysis around issues of concern for Maori constituents.
He said he wanted tribal members to be in a position of full information, unlike Te Whanau a Apanui who fought having Petrobras undertake any activities in the Raukumara Basin off the East Coast.
