Around 80 surfers plunged into icy waters off Manu Bay recently as more than 200 supporters gathered on the shore to protest against the Pātea seabed mining project in South Taranaki.
World Ocean Day provided the perfect platform for Kiwis Against Seabed Mining (KASM) supporters to paddle out in opposition to fast-tracked seabed mining applications.
After a karakia by KASM committee member Angeline Greensill and a blessing ceremony, the surfers were led by Tux Severne and 120 Te Whare Uruora members into the water.
“Over 1200 people turned out along the North Island’s black sand beaches for this paddle out against seabed mining on World Oceans Day. The strength of feeling against this destructive industry is as strong as ever. The government is trying to shut down our voices by its fast-track process, but we will not be silenced. We know that if this first Taranaki project gets across the line, it will open up the whole coastline again to prospective seabed miners,” KASM chair Cindy Baxter says.
Australian company Trans-Tasman Resources (TTR) recently cleared its first hurdle in the fast-track process to mine 50 million tonnes of South Taranaki seabed every year.
The paddle-out was replicated up and down the West Coast, including Taranaki, Wellington and Muriwai in Auckland.
Find out how you can support KASM at www.kasm.org.nz
