Mining in the Kahurangi National Park
Monday, March 8th, 2010
I note that some people are upset that the Government is talking of accessing the copper and zinc deposits that are believed to lie in the depths of the Kahurangi National Park. This park is home to one of our Great Walks, the Heaphy Track.
I am happy for our country’s wealth to be improved through accessing our natural resources such as copper and zinc, but how do we balance the natural resources of precious metals against the natural resources of walking trails in pristine areas?
What guarantee do we have that the mining of the Kahurangi National Park will not upset the environment of one of our Great Walks?
I guess the fact that over 40% of our country is administered by DOC means that we shouldn’t be precious about a portion of that being used for economic benefits. If about half that area is regarded as sacrosanct, then they should go and get the minerals in the “other half” – as long as they don’t wreck any of our great walking trails, such as the Heaphy Track. There should be enough DOC land to satisfy all our purposes.
City Walker
Category : Walks
Tags: Great Walks, Heaphy Track, Kahurangi National Park
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Mining would be fine however the money that it creates usually doesn’t benefit the national interest anywhere near what it does the private interests of the mining companies and their share holders. Mining has very little to do with the national interest, if the government was serious revenue raised would go straight into conservation, national parks, wildlife protection and other nature based funding projects.
Mining should come a very distant second to balancing our relationship with the natural world.
P.S. I’m not a greeny, hippy etc etc, just someone who cares about the world we are leaving for our children.
About time you guys realised the hellish fight and many, many years of effort it took to “save” the Heaphy Track!
I put in 20 years of sustained effort to see that walk put into protection and the same arguments you are being swayed by were used over and over to advocate a road!
It’s time a lot of you guys woke up and realised that the long term effect of a little bit here and a little bit there has a habit of never stopping!
Frankly, many of those enjoying the spoils of efforts such as mine would be wise to think more deeply.
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