Latest news with #SarahReeves
RNZ News
21-07-2025
- Politics
- RNZ News
Waitangi Tribunal pushes pause on seabed mine claim
The Tribunal parking the seabed mine claim is a rare setback for mana whenua who've resisted Trans-Tasman's plans since before the first application in 2013. Photo: Te Korimako o Taranaki The Waitangi Tribunal has rejected the application to halt a fast-track bid to mine the seabed off Pātea - but has left the door open if the process turns out to be unfair. Trans-Tasman Resources (TTR) has applied through the new Fast-Track Approvals Act (FTAA) to mine for iron, titanium and vanadium in the South Taranaki Bight. Multiple South Taranaki hapū and iwi sought a Tribunal injunction to block processing of the fast-track application, and an urgent hearing into alleged Crown Treaty breaches. But Tribunal deputy chair Judge Sarah Reeves agreed with the Crown that the fast-track needed a chance to be proven fair. The Crown argued a panel had not even been appointed - and that iwi will contribute to that selection and get a say once the decision-making panel is working. The Waitangi Tribunal grants urgent hearings in exceptional circumstances: applicants must be suffering - or likely to suffer - significant and irreversible prejudice from current or pending Crown actions. "I do not agree that the risk of significant and irreversible prejudice has crystallised, and the application is premature," said Judge Reeves. "The application does not yet meet the high threshold required to divert the resources and disrupt the Tribunal's inquiry programme that would result by granting an urgent inquiry," she ruled. "However, leave is reserved for the applicants to renew their application if circumstances change." Claimants said they had already suffered prejudice from their decade-long fight against TTR's mining application, right through to defeating the company in the Supreme Court. Mana whenua said government bias made the fast-track process unjust. Judge Reeves said the claimants believe "the Crown's vocal support of the [seabed mining] project and the FTAA appears to make meaningful engagement with the applicants or delay of the project to pursue alternative remedies 'highly unlikely'". On Friday in New Plymouth Shane Jones - the minister of oceans and fisheries, and of resources - called opponents a [ "belligerent, well-organised, rowdy] bunch of activists." He had previously dismissed mana whenua objectors as "pixie-like hapūs" - which many felt was an insult that still rankles in South Taranaki. Taranaki mana whenua claimants to the Tribunal are: Trans-Tasman Resources boss Alan Eggers says the seabed mine would bring jobs and riches without harming the environment. Photo: Te Korimako o Taranaki Other parties include Climate Justice Taranaki, Ngāruahine's school Te Kura o Ngāruahinerangi and from outside the region Te Rūnanga o Ngāti Porou ki Hauraki who also face an FTAA application. For the fast-track bid to be rejected the mine's negative impacts must significantly outweigh national and regional benefits - meaning environmental and cultural damage must be deemed greater than the money the mine makes for Taranaki and New Zealand. Last Thursday the organisers of the fast-track decision process ordered TTR to [ show where it had updated its evidence] since losing in the courts. "Almost all of the technical appendices are dated 2015 and were obviously prepared to support the 2016 application. Only a handful of those reports were updated in 2023 or 2024," noted panel convener Jennifer Caldwell. "The Cultural Values Assessment report, prepared by an independent consultant in 2017, was not updated despite what must have been new information as to the Māori concerns." A month earlier panel conveners ordered the Environmental Protection Authority to dig into the proposed seabed mine's [ environmental and economic impacts]. Every day of operation for at least 20 years the mining ship would discharge 180,000 tonnes of unwanted seabed sediment, a recognised pollutant, into the abundant waters of the Pātea Shoals. TTR claims region benefits of: A report for the miners predicted annual national gains of: LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ on Air.
CTV News
17-06-2025
- CTV News
Canada Strong Pass opens doors to Halifax landmarks youth
Explore museums, galleries, historic landmarks, and more this summer with The Canada Strong Pass. Some of Halifax's most iconic landmarks are now more accessible to youth thanks to the newly launched Canada Strong Pass, which offers free or discounted admission to national sites and travel options across the country this summer. From June 20 until Sept. 2, Canadians aged 17 and under can enjoy free admission to places like the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic and the Canadian Museum of Immigration. 'We're expecting a lot of first-time visitors in Halifax this summer and they usually want to come and see our signature tourism attractions, things like the museum of tourism,' said Sarah Reeves, a spokesperson for Discover Halifax. People aged 18 to 24 receive up to 50 per cent off admission at select museums and discounted travel on VIA Rail. No registration or physical pass is required. 'We know that Canadians are travelling domestically this year and they're feeling a little more patriotic so anything that removes a barrier to access our historic sites is great news,' said Reeves. The initiative includes access to national parks across the Maritimes, such as the Fundy National Park in New Brunswick, which offers hiking trails, waterfalls and views of the world's highest tides. The Canada Strong Pass is part of a federal initiative to promote travel, storytelling and cultural connection among youth. View Georges Island is viewed from the Second World War deck at Pier 21 during the inauguration of the Canadian Museum of Immigration in Halifax on Monday, Feb. 7, 2011. (Andrew Vaughan) For more Nova Scotia news, visit our dedicated provincial page
