ABOUT WATCHDOG
Hauraki Coromandel really is too precious to mine.
OUR MISSION.
Our objectives are to to work for the protection of Te Tara o te Ika a Māui (the Coromandel Peninsula), Hauraki and Hauraki Gulf Islands regions from precious metal mining; to inform the public as to the implications of mining here and to support careful planning for the economic, social and spiritual wellbeing of these lands, waters and communities.
WHAT WE DO.
We provide information and support with research, public education, policy advocacy, capacity building, political lobbying and direct and legal action, as needed by our communities.
WHO WE ARE.
Founded in 1980 we are an umbrella group for all the anti-mining groups in communities across the across the Hauraki Coromandel as a direct response of the communities of Te Tara/the Coromandel, to a renewed push to mine for gold. Permits appeared all over the area, and communities rose against this destructive industry, forming small local groups and the large umbrella – Coromandel Watchdog of Hauraki. We are an incorporated society.
OUR HISTORY.
1980
Since our formation in 1980, we have been successfully keeping mining out of the area. Direct action in the 1980’s became cemented in Aotearoa’s history – lasting for several years, and involving whole communities – protest, occupation, performance – it was all on!.
1997
In 1997, as a result of Coromandel Watchdog’s activism, all conservation land North of the Kopu-Hikuai Road, State Highway 25, was protected from open cast mining and tailings storage under Schedule 4 of the Crown Minerals Act.
* We continue to actively campaign to have this extended to encompass the entire Range, from Moehau to Te Aroha.
2010
In 2010 the Government proposed to remove some areas from Schedule 4 – and CWoH, alongside other environmental organizations and the wider public, campaigned hard to oppose the proposal. The government backed down after over 40,000 submissions and the biggest public protest march ever seen down Tamaki Makaurau/Auckland’s Queen Street.
2019
In 2019 the Government granted permission for a multinational mining company to buy 178 hectares of farmland to build toxic tailings dams on. We challenged this in the High Court, successfully raising more than $30k during the first Covid19 lockdown to cover our costs. Which reinforces what we already know – that people agree – Hauraki Coromandel really is too precious to mine.
PARTNERS.
Watchdog works alongside many partners and organisations to increase collective awareness and action around Coromandel mining.