A Line in the Sand – Is Offshore Mining a Good Idea?

Karen Pratt and Bruce Boyd (Project Reef, Taranaki) and Charlotte Melser (Whanganui District Councillor)

Mining of the marine sands off South Taranaki, proposed by Trans-Tasman Resources Ltd under the government’s Fast-track Approvals Act, faces significant opposition from environmentalists, local iwi, and numerous community groups. This Nature Talks edition is a multi-headed affair. Karen Pratt and Bruce Boyd will describe the region’s sub-tidal reef biodiversity. Councillor Charlotte Melser will discuss the need for a fuller assessment of the project’s broader socio-economic, cultural and environmental costs and benefits.

​Nature Talks is a series of bi-monthly talks offered by three local environmental groups—Birds New Zealand (Whanganui Region), the Whanganui branch of Forest & Bird, and the Wanganui Botanical Group—in conjunction with the Whanganui Regional Museum. The topics all relate to New Zealand’s environment, natural history and conservation. The talks are typically held on the third Tuesday of every second month.

Entrance is free, although to help cover costs, a koha is always appreciated from those who can afford it.

Please use the Watt Street Entrance, which is now open again.

For more information contact Peter Frost (06 343 1648). Email pghfrost@xtra.co.nz

Feature image courtesy of Project Reefs Taranaki.