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Nature enter me…
In 2018 the Labour led government banned new oil and gas exploration in Aotearoa. A change welcomed by those who care deeply for our environment and take the threat of climate change seriously.
The previous National government had been very enthusiastic about extracting fossil fuels from under the ground. Bringing regional jobs and a small percentage of the revenue, although the energy companies would take almost all of it despite the fact that New Zealand would wear the risk.
I recall one interview from the time in which Simon Bridges became so worked up and aggressive that I thought he looked like he was on meth. He was being questioned by John Campbell over what we’d do if something like the Deepwater Horizon, which had pumped oil uncontrollably into the Gulf of Mexico, occurred here.
It’s an old interview but worth watching a bit. Remembering that this is the guy National have just appointed Chair of Waka Kotahi, NZTA for the triggered, under their “jobs for the boys” policy.
So I was delighted when our last government said no to digging up fossil fuels or deep sea drilling which might lead to our coastlines looking like a thousand Renas had spilled their guts out. There was never any plan to deal with such an event, as I wrote in one of my first political posts, almost a decade ago:
Simple Simon met an oilman
Wanting to deep sea drill
Says Simple Simon to the oilman
‘Your plan to clean up any spill?’
Says the oil-man to Simple Simon,
“Indeed I have not any”
Says Simple Simon to the oilman,
“then just show me your penny”
There is a clear difference between left and right when it comes to nature and climate change.
In the second half of this year our government plans to amend the Crown Minerals Act 1991, reversing the ban, reinstating offshore petroleum exploration, and opening Aotearoa up to renewed extraction of stuff that we really ought to be leaving in the ground if we care about the future of our planet.
New Zealand has a very proud mining heritage. The origins of our Labour Party on the West Coast, that has done so much for working people in this country. We think of course of Pike River and the tragic loss of those men, let down by cowardly management, the facts literally covered up.
We see that heritage in our landscapes. Last weekend Fi and our two youngest kids went to a Hip Hop comp down in Tauranga. I so want to say future Ria Hall country, but I suppose the rower will get it. Needless to say if you’re eligible to vote and you’re interested in my opinion then I think Ria’s passion for the place would make her a great choice.
Anyway Fi sent back some photos on the way of the kids stretching their legs. I’m sure you know the Karangahake gorge, between Paeroa and Waihi. There can be few more beautiful places in the world with the bush, the winding road, and the clear mountain waters tumbling through. Here are Thea and Matty exploring.
The whole area beyond is stunning. I have a strong memory as a child camping further up the Coromandel in the Kauaeranga Valley, swimming in the river, the most beautiful clear water I can remember seeing anywhere. Bloody cold too as I recall.
Throughout the area you can see the remains of the mining past. The tunnels now used for cycling tours, the old ruins of buildings. In a way that mining heritage makes the place even more beautiful. But technology has changed.
If we open these special places up to mining now it won’t be stone tunnels and buildings left behind, it’ll be massive holes in the ground, deforestation, and chemicals leaching into the earth and the water.
In return for which some people will get very rich, but not us. The amount that NZ Inc sees will be tiny. As with the risk of deep sea oil drilling someone else takes all the profits while we get left to clean up any mess.
As you might imagine quite a lot of people are not very happy about that prospect.
There isn’t much that defines this place more than the beauty and solitude of our native bush, the sounds of our native birds, the dramatic landscapes, cool clear lakes and rivers, and out bountiful coastal areas.
It’s who we are and it matters a whole lot to an awful lot of us, whether we are on the left or the right of politics.
Trampers, hunters, families just enjoying stretching their legs. This place is pretty special and it has far greater value than the short term gain to be had from the ancient mineral deposits beneath.
This Saturday sees the March for Nature, a coordinated response bringing together thousands of people who don’t want to see this taonga put at risk, or damaged, for short term gain.
It’s great to see lots of different groups coming together over this - Greenpeace, Forest & Bird, Coromandel Watchdog, Kiwis Against Seabed Mining, Coal Action Network Aotearoa, WWF New Zealand, Ours Not Mines, and no doubt others.
As well of course as the general public, who are very much invited…
This is how the organisers describe the event:
We'll march against mining on conservation land, against new oil and gas exploration, seabed mining and we'll march against the Luxon Government's War on Nature and against the one-stop shop for environmental destruction that is the fast-track approvals bill. We'll march because the fast-track bill undermines our democracy and Te Tiriti o Waitangi.
Preparations are already underway and I reckon this is going to be one hell of a protest, with more than a few jibes at the government over their plans, and who benefits from them.
In addition to changes to the Crown Minerals Act this protest is very much about the fast-track legislation which removes safeguards and decision processes. Instead leaving those with Chris Bishop, Shane Jones, and Simeon Brown. Perhaps the three least likely custodians of our land it’s possible to imagine.
This from the March for Nature website:
The Fast-track Approvals Bill is at the heart of this Government's systematic war on nature, which includes an attack on environmental protections critical to preserving fresh water, forests, oceans, and wildlife. It will put Aotearoa on a fast track to environmental destruction.
This anti-democratic Bill concentrates power in the hands of three Ministers and allows them to run roughshod over the few environmental protections we have in place for our threatened wildlife and landscapes - while ignoring the concerns of local communities and tangata whenua. It undermines our democracy and te Tiriti o Waitangi.
It is wide open to corruption and lacks any semblance of environmental protection while removing existing protections.
Here’s a Fast Track 101 from Greenpeace Aotearoa if you’re not that familiar with the bill:
I suspect this will be one of the largest protests ever seen in New Zealand and I would strongly urge you to get along and take part if you can.
This government will be feeling the pressure after wide dissatisfaction over things like their postponement of funding for cancer drugs. Over cuts to services with the realisation of many that the resulting tax cuts leave few significantly better off over all than they had been.
Even if you’re cynical about the government’s willingness to listen there is great strength in protesting.
A tremendous kinship with your fellows who feel the same. When we’re faced with a government like this it’s easy to feel alone, that you’re the only one feeling like this. You won’t feel like that on a protest like this and that sense of camaraderie will stay with you, as will the words spoken in Aotea Square, or in other places.
Marching side by side and chanting with thousands of people who like you do not want to see our conservation land desecrated. Who care about our land and what we leave for future generations.
I know some of you won’t be able to march either through a lack of mobility or being far from protests. I’m aware there is one in Wellington but I’m not sure where else, please comment if you have more information about local events. I want to say something to those who would like to be there, but can’t be.
You’re not alone.
Really, truly. You’re not.
I’m not saying that out of hope to try and make you feel good. I say it because it’s a fact. There are thousands of people who read this newsletter every day who feel just like you. We may have a different government now but we’re all still here and we have the same values and the same love for this country that we had before.
Whether we’ll be marching or cheering the news of this protest we’re in this together, standing against those who would defile our precious Papatūānuku for profit.
Speaking of national treasures, here’s Don McGlashan - with a song you know about Nature.
Found on the internet...
"Other protest events happening on 8 June so far include:
12 noon - 350 Chch - Stop the Fast Track Bill - peaceful protest cnr Durham & Moorhouse
1pm Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland – March for Nature
1pm Pōneke Wellington - People over Profits: Stop the Cuts!"
OMG I remember that interview. i think I took photos of John with his head in his hands.
This fast track legislation could see all kinds of projects get across the line, projects like seabed mining and coal mines that have already been refused consent by the courts. In the case of seabed mining, the Supreme Court. Or the Ruataniwha dam.
And all the power in the hands of just three ministers, who don't have to take environmental impacts into consideration. And their "expert panel" set up to advise them is PROHIBITED from public consultation.
This is an absolutely appalling piece of legislation that would give those three ministers more power than ministers have ever had in the history of Aotearoa.
Come with us.
March for Nature
there's nothing like a bit of a walk down Queen Street chanting and singing with a bunch of like-mindeds, all as pissed off about this government as you are. It'll be fun. We want this to be HUGE. Please, join us