New Zealand’s Fast Track Panel has released a draft decision rejecting Trans Tasman Resources’ proposal to mine the South Taranaki seabed, citing serious environmental risks to marine life and coastal ecosystems.
The ruling follows more than a decade of opposition from environmental groups, iwi, local councils, and fishing communities, who have argued that the project threatens marine habitats and regional livelihoods.
“This is a victory for the moana, for all the people across Taranaki and Aotearoa, from Iwi and hapu and councils and everyone who loves our ocean,” said Kiwis Against Seabed Mining chairperson Cindy Baxter.
KASM has challenged the project since 2013, including through the Supreme Court and later under the fast track consenting process. Baxter said the draft ruling confirms that the proposal remains fundamentally flawed.
“We’ve been fighting this ridiculous proposal since 2013… and it doesn’t matter how many times the government tries to help this company with ever more lenient legislation, it simply doesn’t pass muster.”
In its decision, the Panel highlighted risks from underwater noise, sediment plumes, and cumulative environmental impacts, particularly on threatened marine mammal species.
“The South Taranaki Bight is an ecologically important area for marine mammals… any additional impact would be unsustainable and cannot be reliably avoided or remedied through conditions.”
The Panel concluded that the environmental harm would outweigh any regional or national benefits.
“The Panel has reached the view that the adverse impacts… are sufficiently significant to be out of proportion to the project’s regional or national benefits.”
While the ruling is still in draft form, opponents say it sends a strong signal that large-scale seabed mining faces major barriers in sensitive waters.
If confirmed, the decision would mark one of the most significant regulatory setbacks for seabed mining in New Zealand and reinforce the country’s growing focus on marine protection.
