In really surprising news, the Fast-track Panel appointed to hear OGLs application for the expansions at Waihi – and the mine in conservation land at Wharekirauponga – has identified us as ‘other persons deemed appropriate’ – along with some others – to give our comments on the proposal.
We have 20 working days, from July 28th, 2025, to give our comments on more than 11,000 pages of application; to collate all the information, to line up whatever experts and to capture it all on paper!
20 working days.
And, although Forest and Bird have also been asked, and the Conservation Boards – the knowledge the panel will miss out on by having such a shortened and restricted process is frankly terrifying. The on local knowledge from iwi, hapu, whanau whose knowledge of these places is ancient.. those of us who live work and play here.. the experts in niche fields who know more about things like the tiny frog than OGL knows about mining.. broader experts who know lots about how this might impact Aotearoa, the region and just the area – and the future – the plans for closure, for the town…. so many facets to think about – so much knowledge missing.
20 days…
This application is to expand the mine at Waihi – to creat ANOTHER open pit, to build ANOTHER toxic tailings dam – to mine under yet more homes, to destroy the remaining SNAs in the area – including wetlands. to reinstate the conveyor system, to expand all the processing – to create vast rock storage areas – dangerous waiting grounds from potentially Acid Forming rock…
AND it is to establish a new, the first in generations, mine in conservation land. In an area known as Nationally significant, home to a range of threatened species including the kūripeke Archeys frog. An area with some of the clearest water in Aotearoa, with streams that flow to some of the most well loved – and visited – beaches in the country.
20 days.
We have waited years to ‘have a say’. We have not ben able to engage many experts in Aotearoa, Oceana either hires them, or they have insecure funding or, well, Aotearoa is a very small pond for experts. We have spoken to many international experts who have looked at info we have given them and found so many errors – but we have had no timeframes, no way of ‘keeping them engaged’ – we aren’t a multimillion dollar corporation – we are a community.
And now we have 20 days.
If you feel like you ave information to offer, knowledge to share, something that needs to be heard, please get in touch. A decision of this magnitude, that will impact generations to come, should not be left to a chosen few to have a say on!