Why we need a ban
KASM, Iwi, councils and other interested parties like the fishing industry have spent literally hundreds of thousands on fighting seabed mining. We have prevailed, time after time.
Because the impacts of this experimental extractive industry are just too risky.
We've done the mahi. For 13 years.
Now it's time for our politicians to step up and put in place a permanent ban on seabed mining in the Aotearoa moana.
This year is election year, and we want to make banning seabed mining an election issue.
We need as many parties as possible to support it
Where parties stand
The Greens, Te Pāti Māori & Opportunity Party all support a ban on seabed mining.
All other parties need to hear from their voters. Help them understand kiwis dont want seabed mining!
Support a ban
.png){kind=small}
No clear position
.png){kind=small}
Oppose a ban
Positions updated May 2026. Let's take action so more parties make the move to support a ban.
Take action today
This election year we need politicians to hear that voters want a ban on seabed mining.
So let's make some noise!
Here's how you can help protect our moana for the future:
Candidate meetings
There will be candidate meetings held across the motu from now to the election! If you're keen, go and ask questions to get the issue into the debates, and get answers from the would-be politicians.
Questions to ask: [If appropriate, start with "I'm an NZ First/ACT/National voter"] - now that the EPA, the Supreme Court and the Fast Track have all refused Trans Tasman Resources' application to mine the seabed, where do you [the candidates] stand on implementing a ban on seabed mining?
Get on your socials
We have tiles to share
Share your experience at a Candidates meeting (if you get a YES for banning seabed mining, you could even interview them and post - or just post who said yes or no).
Letters to the Editor
This really works, especially if it's your local paper. Share your experience at a candidate meeting - or simply pen a letter (max 200 words)... it will get a lot of eyes!
The arguments against seabed mining
-
In three major decisions (EPA, 2013; Supreme Court, 2021, Fast Track, 2026) all the environmental effects of seabed mining were thoroughly examined, and resulted in very well-argued decisions against it going ahead.
-
The company didn't do the full environmental checks, and the enormity of the damage from the plume of sediment that would travel across the South Taranaki Bight was not able to be calculated.
-
All our experts warned of damage to marine mammals like pgymy blue whales, Māui dolphin, and to seabirds - like the kororā (blue penguin) that swim 100km across the bight to feed at the Pātea shoals. The plume would damage reefs and marine ecosystems, and fishery spawning grounds
-
Every time new scientific evidence was produced around the impacts of seabed mining, none showed that the moana would be safe.
-
The company has lied to the New Zealand public and it is still lying to its shareholders.
It's time to end this nonsense.
Together for our moana
For twenty years, people across Aotearoa have stood together to protect the ocean from seabed mining.
Fight after fight has shown seabed mining is not appropriate in our waters. It's time for a ban.
Let’s stand together again and make sure our voices are heard.