Pākiri Sand Mining Resource Consent
with Ngāti Manuhiri | NORTHLAND
The why!
McCallum Bros Ltd, who have mined sand since the 1940s despite ongoing opposition from iwi, hapū and local communities, sought resource consents from Auckland Regional Council to renew and expand their large-scale, off-shore sand mining operation around Mangawhai Heads.
Local iwi and hapū who are the kaitiaki of the sand, along with other community groups had concerns about ongoing impacts of the mining, including the effects on threatened species - like the critically endangered tara iti | New Zealand fairy tern; and the migration patterns of tohorā | whales.
How did we assist?
Ngāti Manuhiri sought help from TCG to oppose the consents and give voice to their rights and interests in the consenting process. TCG supported them throughout the consent process, providing expert witnesses from both a planning and effects-management perspective.
What happened?
The offshore consent was declined, with the decision then appealed by the applicants; and TCG was appointed to facilitate the expert panel reviewing the temporary consent granted. The panel process allows for matāuranga Māori and other technical expert input, ensuring that the knowledge base grows that is needed to inform future decisions around resource use in this unique marine environment.
Read more: November 2024 RNZ article