Conservation land 'not for sale'

Mt Karangahake.

Coromandel Watchdog of Hauraki is challenging the New Talisman gold miner's claims that it is feasible to mine the conservation land on Mt Karangahake.

Spokeswoman Augusta Macassey-Pickard said conservation land was for all New Zealanders, not for mining.

"It's that simple," she said.

"We will do whatever we can to support the Karangahake community as they work to protect the mountain from this desecration, to protect our conservation land.

"Our conservation estate is not for sale. It belongs to us all, and it is not acceptable for the Government to permit companies such as this to compromise it so that those companies can profit at the expense of all New Zealanders.

Compromising this asset to enable one company to profit is not in the best interests on New Zealand."

Augusta Macassey-Pickard

"There is often this 'jobs/economic benefits' incentive bandied about when these companies want us to accept their destruction of our environment; all we need to do is look at Waihi.

"If there was such wealth directed into a community when mining is allowed, then why do they have higher than average unemployment, lower than average incomes?" she said.
"You'd think that the town would be seriously wealthy by now, given the duration of that mine, and the sheer amount of gold that has been removed."

The Karangahake Gorge and surrounding Conservation land is a significant contributor to the local and regional economy, attracting high volumes of tourists (both local and international) and are a major asset to the area, Ms Macassey-Pickard said.

"Compromising this asset to enable one company to profit is not in the best interests on New Zealand. Conserving and maintaining this beautiful area for us, our visitors and future generations is."