Background Information:

Over the span of 14 years, Iwi, Hapu, environmental groups such as KASM & kaitiaki have fought against seabed mining off the coast of South Taranaki. Seabed Mining would cause significant, irreversible, and unmanageable effects on marine ecosystems, taonga species, tikanga Māori, as well as the relationship of Iwi and Hapū with the moana. This would affect some of our most vulnerable communities and generations to come.

Throughout this time, Iwi, Hapu and environmental groups have seen success in the form of winning multiple court cases inclusive of one in the Supreme court & now the recent decision of the fast-track expert panel to decline the application under this Governments own legislation. Whaea Deb has proudly been part of the fight against Seabed Mining alongside the many other kaitiaki. However successive and current Governments have continued to fail our Moana by either supporting legislation which would allow for Seabed Mining or not supporting a ban completely.

Out of the need for certainty in the protection of our Moana, Debbie Ngarewa-Packer created her Members Bill ‘The Seabed Mining Prohibition Act 2026’ to Ban Seabed Mining permanently.

Call to action

Sign this petition to show your support for Whaea Debs Members bill & a tangible step towards banning Seabed Mining permanently in New Zealand waters!