Mangatangi Mine hearings kick off on Monday

Resource consent hearings into a proposed new open-cast coal mine kick off on Monday morning at:

Mangatangi Marae
199 Mangatangi Road, Mangatangi
Monday 26 August
Pōwhiri at 8:30 a.m.

The Waikato Councils had intended the pōwhiri to be for the Commissioners only, but the Marae Chairman has since extended the welcome to all parties to the hearings.

If you are concerned to see a new coal mine being opened in the face of opposition from the local community and to the detriment of the climate, that means you!

Click for location on Google Maps

Climate change still cannot be directly considered under the current resource consent regime in New Zealand. This is rather ironic considering that coal is the worst contributor to climate change and that climate change is the most serious environmental issue facing humanity.

We therefore expect the Climate Elephant (in the room) to make an appearance during the hearings.

The Climate Elephant goes where climate change is being ignored

Can I attend the hearings?

Yes, resource consent hearings are open to the public.

How can I get there?

Follow the GoogleMap directions to Mangatangi Marae, 199 Mangatangi Road, Mangatangi.

Mangatangi is approximately a 45-minute drive from central Auckland. To carpool from Auckland, please contact aucklandcoalaction@gmail.com

When is the best time to go?

Come along to the pōwhiri on Monday 26th August at 8:30 a.m. at Mangatangi Marae (above).

To hear Fonterra’s submissions on why they should be allowed to open a new open-cast coal mine, you can attend the first week of the hearings 26-30 August.

To hear opposing submissions come along on the second week of submissions, starting Monday 2 September.

Who will be making oral submissions in opposition to the mine?

We understand the following groups and individuals will be making oral submissions:

Coal Free Mangatawhiri and other concerned locals

Coal Action Network Aotearoa

Auckland Coal Action

Ora Taiao: The New Zealand Climate & Health Council

Jeanette Fitzsimons

Catherine Delahunty, Green Party MP

Watch this space for a more detailed schedule of submitters as the information becomes available.