Protest At Mining Decision

Save Happy Valley Auckland will tomorrow hold a protest outside Chris Carter's Auckland office, in protest against the Minister of Conservation's decisions to permit mining in Conservation areas. The protest will be at 300 Great North Rd , Henderson at 1pm.

"DOC has recognised protection of our biodiversity as New Zealand's most pressing environmental issue since 1997. Climate change is also a global concern. Yet, the Labour Government is supporting the continued expansion of mines, including coal mines, across Aotearoa, said Malcolm France, Save Happy Valley Auckland spokesperson.

"At Pike River, the Minister of Conservation has given an access permit to approximately 400 hectares of public conservation land for the purposes of underground mining and surface mining operations! The Pike River Coal company, which is establishing the second largest mine in the country, plans to seek permission to mine under the Paparoa National Park! Environmental protection in New Zealand is weakening.

"At Mt Augustus, the Minister of Conservation gave state owned coal miner permission to destroy 94% of the habitat of Powelliphanta Augustus, an 'absolutely protected' species. This is highly likely to lead to their extinction," said Malcolm France

"While the mining companies of New Zealand meet in Christchurch this week to plan the expansion of their ecologically destructive, climate changing and polluting industry into some of the most beautiful parts of Aotearoa, we challenge the Government to instead begin the transition away from coal mining ! starting with the protection of Happy Valley," said Malcolm France.

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