New Plymouth council draws line in sand over seabed mining
Photo:
RNZ/Robin Martin
New Plymouth District Council has drawn a line in the sand and voted to oppose seabed mining in the South Taranaki Bight, and in particular the Trans-Tasman Resources' proposal currently going through the Fast Track consenting process.
Councillor Amanda Clinton-Gohdes tabled a motion calling for the move and after three hours of deputations and debate her colleagues backed it overwhelmingly - with just two councillors
voting against
.
Trans-Tasman Resources managing chairman Allan Eggers said the vote was disappointing, but would not deter the company which would maintain its focus on the Fast Track process.
Clinton-Gohdes, meanwhile, was proud of the council's stand which was met with cheers from a packed public gallery.
"It was really important to our community and to me to bring this debate to council, so we could present the views of our community who were asking us to draw a clear line in the sand. I'm really proud of our council for doing the right thing.
"It's about representing our community and what they've asked us to do and that we do our up most to protect our environment for future generations."
Councillor Amanda Clinton-Gohdes.
Photo:
RNZ / Robin Martin
Trans-
Tasman Resources
has approval to vacuum up 50 million tonnes of sand annually from the South Taranaki seabed for 35 years to extract iron, vanadium and titanium, but the company still needs consent to discharge 45 million tonnes of unwanted sediment a year back into the shallow waters.
The company has previously been thwarted through legal challenges right up to the Supreme Court and pulled out of an Environmental Protection Authority hearing in 2024 in favour of the Fast Track consenting process.
Last week, TTR managing chairman Allan Eggers made an hour-long presentation to a council workshop outlining the project's environmental and economic credentials.
Ahead of debate on the Clinton-Gohdes' motion, council heard deputations from
groups opposed to seabed mining
in the South Taranaki Bight.
Ngā iwi o Taranaki and Te Kotahitanga o Te Atiawa chair Liana Poutu.
Photo:
RNZ / Robin Martin
Ngā iwi o Taranaki and Te Kotahitanga o Te Atiawa chair Liana Poutu told councillors TTR's claim it had engaged with iwi didn't stack up.
"Our reality is our engagement with them under this current application - under the Fast Track process - has been a letter.
"One letter that says 'we understand you are opposed. We are going to record your opposition in our application, but if you have anything else to add we look forward to hearing from you'. That's not engagement."
Representatives of environmental groups Project Reef, the Ngāmotu Marine Reserve Society and Protect Our Moana challenged Eggers' evidence that there was no significant marine life in the vicinity of TTR's proposed project.
Project Reef's Karen Pratt said for a decade it had collected data and shared images from reefs that extended offshore from Pātea and into Exclusive Economic Zone revealing the "stunningly beautiful and vibrant healthy life to be found on South Taranaki's offshore reefs".
Ngāmotu Marine Reserve Society representative Barbara Hammond told councillors that little blue penguins from the Marlborough Sounds swim up into the South Taranaki Bight, contrary to TTR's claim that the penguins stayed inshore.
Ngāti Runaui iwi member, Te Pāti Māori co-leader and long-time opponent of seabed mining, Debbie Ngarewa-Packer, also made a rare appearance in the council chamber.
She said it was important to be there.
"There's a sense of blocking, of not being heard, and some of these ministers that are choosing the [TTR] expert panel have been really outspoken in support of it [the project] so it's out of frustration you have to come back to your own local entities, your own local politicians."
During debate on the motion, councillor Bryan Vickery reflected the view of most councillors when he evoked the cult classic Australian film
The Castle
.
"It's about the vibe and the vibe is from a natural justice point of view - all eight iwi are opposed to it, the majority of Taranaki people from all walks of life are opposed to it and we have to - in my opinion - represent the dreams, values and aspirations of our community."
Councillors Murray Chong.
Photo:
RNZ / Robin Martin
Councillors Murray Chong and Max Brough voted against the motion.
Chong argued the Taranaki economy was shrinking and the province had to grasp all opportunities for growth, while Brough thought the motion went too far and precluded companies with better credentials than TTR coming to present seabed mining proposals.
"What if there was a mining company that came and did it properly and said 'look we've got all of this and we've got mitigation in place and we've done all of these steps everyone's been asking us to do' then we could give it a fair hearing, but that's not happening."
TTR managing chairman Allan Eggers said the vote was disappointing.
"Of course it concerns me. I think there's a lot of misinformation being spread by opponents of the project. They are certainly not relying on the facts - they're scaremongering and out there to discredit the company, the management of the company, and aren't really interested in the facts."
He stood by the evidence presented to council last week.
"As to credibility, all of our information has been provided to the Fast Track team and that information has been underpinned by independent expert reports on every aspect and well-tested. We can't see why our credibility would be questioned at all."
TTR managing chairman Allan Eggers.
Photo:
RNZ/Robin Martin
'
Eggers said the vote wouldn't derail the project.
"We're focused on continuing with our Fast Track application and all our information is in front of the Fast Track panel, and it's available for anyone who wants to access it."
He was at a loss to explain why the NPDC would oppose TTR's application.
"That's a matter for the council. I'm not sure why they are even taking these votes, but that's up to them.
"Our project will not have any effect on New Plymouth - except a positive one in terms of jobs and significant economic stimulus and delivering some prosperity to the area."
Largely symbolic, the vote sees New Plymouth join Whanganui and South Taranaki district councils in formally opposing seabed mining.
Taranaki Regional Council, meanwhile, has retained a neutral stance, arguing to do otherwise might compromise its ability to appoint a representative to the expert panel which will decide TTR's consents application.
Clinton-Gohdes' motion also proposed that council formally request that the panel convened by the Environmental Protection Authority use its discretion to allow NPDC to make written comment on the Trans-Tasman Resources application in accordance the Fast Track Approvals Act; and that if the EPA approved the council's request to comment, NPDC officers draft and submit written comment.
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Michael Forbes. Photo: LinkedIn/Michael Forbes Police immediately escalated allegations about the prime minister's former deputy chief press secretary Michael Forbes to the police executive - including the police commissioner and the assistant commissioner - but Forbes was told the "onus was on him" to inform his employer, documents released under the Official Information Act reveal. Forbes, a former journalist, resigned after it emerged he recorded audio of multiple sessions with Wellington sex workers, and amassed a gallery of women working out at the gym, shopping and being filmed through a window getting ready to go out. Police earlier said they got a complaint from a Wellington brothel last July after images were found on a client's phone, but decided the case did not meet the threshold for prosecution . On Wednesday, a series of documents were released to RNZ under the Official Information Act, including a timeline of key events and executive notifications. The incident at the Wellington brothel happened at 7pm on 11 July. Police Comms was notified the following day at 5.40pm. Ten minutes later the National Command and Coordination Centre was alerted and then the District Command Centre. At 6.15pm on 12 July an email was then sent to a large number of senior police leaders, including former Police Commissioner Andrew Coster, Deputy Commissioner Jevon McSkimming and others. "Police Comms have been called by an informant who works for an escort agency. The informant has found images on a client's phone of naked females, including one very intoxicated female that appear to have been taken with the consent of those photographed/filmed. "The client is allegedly Michael FORBES who is the Senior Press Secretary for the Hon Louise Upston, the Minister for the Community and Voluntary Sector, Minister for Social Development and Employment, and Minister for Child Poverty Reduction. 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Photo: RNZ / Alexander Robertson At 6.47pm, Wellington District Commander Superintendent Corrie Parnell received a text from a senior sergeant advising him of the allegations. Parnell replied and said he needed them to "ensure we calm the farm and step through things. Already a cast of 1000s in the loop". At 7pm Parnell emailed Sweeney, van den Heuvel and Assistant Commissioner Paul Basham and said Kura had been briefed. "Expressed my frustration that a cast of thousand notified for what is a matter well within the normal investigation capability of our team." He ended the email saying: "suggest some thought is given to a response in the event of media interest". Sweeney replied there needed to be a look at the serious crime notifications in general "as they all go far and wide now". "Maybe District commanders and crime managers local get advised then use normal channels. Creates a bit much excitement." The documents included an investigation summary, which said on 12 July 2024, Wellington Police received a complaint that Forbes had covertly made an audio recording the previous day while engaging the services of a sex worker. "The informant advised police that they had taken two mobile phones from Forbes, one believed to be a personal phone, the other a work device. The informant also reported finding other audio files, images and videos that caused concern." The informant was spoken to by police and both phones were taken. "Once it was established that Forbes was a senior press secretary at Parliament, procedural escalation notifications were made that evening. "The Wellington District Command Centre was advised, as was the duty inspector." On 13 July, a detective obtained search warrants to examine the two cell phones. "The suspected offence was making an intimate visual recording, being an offence against section 216H of the Crimes Act 1961." On 15 July, a detective visited Forbes and advised him of the police investigation. During that visit Forbes provided access codes for the phones. On 18 July, a detective examined the phones. "Located within both phones were numerous videos, screenshots and photos of unidentified females, some in various state of undress, and exposed breasts were visible in multiple videos. "It was apparent to detectives that some images were taken in, and from, public places, including a gym. Some images were also taken through street facing windows of unidentified women, dressing (undressing) themselves, and who were visible from the waist up." Christopher Luxon and Louise Upston. Photo: Marika Khabazi The summary said the examination of the phones did not identify evidence of criminal offending. On 18 July, Forbes met with a detective and the phones were returned to him. "He was also provided copies of the search warrants that had been obtained. "During the meeting it was suggested that Forbes should delete some of the images on his phones, and he began doing so. Police also stressed the onus was on him to inform his employer." On 19 July, police provided an update to the complainant. On 6 August, police also provided an update to another staff member at the brothel. "They expressed frustration and disappointment with the outcome," the summary said. In an earlier statement, van den Heuvel earlier said that as part of the investigation, police obtained a search warrant to seize two of his phones. On examining the phones, police found a number of photos and videos of women in public spaces, and what appeared to be women in private addresses, taken from a distance away, van den Heuvel said. "Police considered the available evidence and concluded it did not meet the requirements for criminality, and therefore charges could not be filed. "The individual concerned voluntarily spoke with police and admitted to taking the images and recordings. He was reminded of the inappropriateness of his behaviour and encouraged to seek help." Forbes also deleted the images in the presence of police. "Police acknowledge this man's behaviour was extremely distressing for the women involved and would like to reassure them that any new information will be thoroughly considered. "Based on the initial report and available evidence to date, police are unable to progress the matter further." Van den Heuvel said that any new information regarding Forbes would be "thoroughly considered". When earlier asked why police did not alert the Department of Internal Affairs (DIA) after executing a search warrant on a government-issued phone, the department said: "We are still gathering facts and will look into all of this as part of our deep dive." The DIA said all Ministerial Services staff were subject to standard pre-employment checks when they were first employed. These included reference checks, serious misconduct checks and a criminal conviction check. In addition, security clearances were required for some positions in ministers' offices. The department said these checks were completed when Forbes was first employed by Ministerial Services and were not required for the later temporary assignment to the prime minister's office. "We acknowledge staff may be unsettled or feel their safety may have been compromised. We are committed to supporting our people and ensuring they feel, and are, safe at work." Prime Minister Christopher Luxon said the incidents that were investigated by police but did not lead to any charges occurred after he was vetted to work for Social Development Minister Louise Upston. "He has an obligation to actually declare those issues or those incidents to us - that didn't happen which is why his employment would have been terminated, obviously," Luxon said in a media conference at Parliament in June. "But there is a good question about making sure, and I have asked specifically for DIA to look at vetting processes." He added that the expectation was on Forbes to have raised the incidents with the prime minister's office "because it impacts the office and the reputation of the office, for obvious reasons, but that did not happen". Forbes moved from Upston's office to the prime minister's in February this year and "had the vetting that he needed to come into the Beehive". "We will look at that to make sure that there is anything else we could have done differently in that vetting." Luxon would not discuss what level of security clearance Forbes had in the Beehive. Luxon also had questions about whether the investigation should have been elevated by police to the Beehive. 'We have to take this incident and understand what has happened here and how it happened, and what more can we do about it. "I think it is a legitimate question to say, what can we look at between the inter-agency processes, between the different agencies, whether it is police, whether it is the SIS or whether it is Ministerial Services." Forbes earlier offered an apology for the harm his actions caused to women. "I want to offer my sincerest apologies to the women I have harmed," he said in a statement. "In the past, I was in a downward spiral due to unresolved trauma and stress, and when confronted with the impacts of my behaviour a year ago, I sought professional help, which is something I wish I had done much earlier. "What I failed to do then was make a genuine attempt to apologise. Instead, I tried to move on without offering those I had harmed the acknowledgement, accountability, or amends they deserved. I recognise how wrong that was." Forbes said he spent the past year "reflecting on how I may have affected these women's sense of safety and ability to go about their lives and work". "No one should ever feel violated, unsafe, or disrespected, especially in spaces where they should feel secure, and I am truly sorry for contributing to an environment where women may have felt otherwise," he said. "The therapy I've received over the past year has helped me to understand the roots of my behaviour and begin addressing the patterns that led to it. This is a long-term commitment to change that I take very seriously. "I understand that my past actions may have undermined the trust people place in me. So, I have resigned from my job to focus on the work I need to do." Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero, a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
