Letter to the Editor Thursday October 24, 2013

One chance to speak

This is an extremely important panui for everyone who resides on or has interests in the west coast (Panguru, Mitimiti, Motuti, Pawarenga, Whangape and Te Hiku o Te Ika included).

If you haven't been informed, the government have opened up the west coast of the Far North to offshore oil drilling, the extraction of petroleum buried deep under the ocean floor.

There are huge environmental risks that accompany oil drilling. There is the risk of oil spills affecting kaimoana, ika, nga tohora and the sustainability of all marine life. This can also affect our own ability to sustain ourselves, something those on the west coast have naturally been used to as kaitiaki and mana whenua.

In addition to that, the government is also attempting to pass marine legislation that states that in terms of offshore drilling they will no longer need to notify the public or consult with hapu and iwi should they wish to carry out activities off the coast of North Hokianga and Te Hiku o Te Ika. Unfortunately, this exploitation of Tangaroa and Papatuanuku is all founded on the greed of money.

The Ministry of Economic Development have given all interested hapu a six-week window for consultation. As there has been very little broadcasting of this knowledge, many hapu will most probably miss out on the opportunity to respond or ask the questions that need to be asked. To date, there is just over two weeks left before the cut-off date for consultation hui.

Therefore, we are extending a warm and open invitation to all our whanau and hapu of North Hokianga to come and participate in the only consultation hui being convened in the Far North. NZ Petroleum & Minerals will be coming to present their proposals and to gather feedback from Far North locals with interests to the west coast. The Environmental Protection Authority will also be present.

This is certainly a kaupapa that affects us all, including the livelihoods of our tamariki mokopuna.

Nau mai haere mai e nga tini whanau me nga hapu o Muriwhenua.

The stronger the tautoko, the better.

Date: Friday November 8, 2013, 10am-2pm, Korou Kore marae, Foreshore Road, Ahipara.

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