Our Journey.
For two decades, coastal communities and iwi have fought to prevent seabed mining in Aotearoa's waters. The fight continues today - help grow the wave of opposition to seabed mining and join us to protect our ocean.
How It Started.
The 2004 Foreshore and Seabed Act opened the door to mining companies seeking to exploit our ocean floor. And it didn’t take long before prospecting permits were being handed out along the West Coast.
When Whaea Angeline Greensill (Tainui o Tainui) learned of these early plans, she raised the alarm with the wider Whāingaroa / Raglan community. Surfers, fishers, mana whenua and locals rallied together in response to this unprecedented threat, forming KASM in 2005.
KASM quickly grew beyond Whāingaroa to become a nationwide movement of ocean-lovers standing strong against seabed mining anywhere in Aotearoa waters.
How It's going.
Since then, KASM has worked alongside iwi, hapū, Greenpeace and other environmental groups to oppose seabed mining. Together, we’ve taken Trans-Tasman Resources’ (TTR) proposals through every level of New Zealand’s courts - and won, including a landmark Supreme Court ruling.
We also opposed Chatham Rock Phosphate’s plans to mine the Chatham Rise, which was declined by the EPA.
But the industry hasn’t given up. TTR is now trying to bypass environmental protections through the government’s Fast Track process.
The threat to our moana is real - but so is our determination to protect it.
Timeline.
2 million years ago
Onshore beach and dune deposits and offshore marine deposits of Titanomagnetite ironsand are formed along 480 km of the North Island coastline, from the Kaipara Harbour, southwards to Whanganui.
1849
The first ultimately doomed attempts to smelt ironsand are made in 1849, on the northern coast of the Awhitu peninsula, but the high titanium content and fine grain size defeat traditional blast furnace technology.
Post WW2
Following WW2, new steel making technology in the form of the direct reduction kiln and electric arc furnace was applied to the ironsands by the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research and others.
1959
The New Zealand Steel Investigating Company is formed using taxpayers money, with the objective of determining the technical and economic feasibility of manufacturing steel using ironsand.
1964
Following successful trials of the newly developed direct reduction technology, a process was refined to produce sponge iron from ironsand concentrate, with sub-bituminous Waikato coal as a reductant, and Te Kuiti limestone as a flux.
1970
A steel mill is commissioned by New Zealand Steel Ltd, at Glenbrook, to use ironsand from the Waikato North Head deposit to produce 150,000 t of steel per year.
1971
Mining operations established at Waipipi for export of titanomagnetite concentrate to Japanese steelmakers.
1972
Mining operations established at Taharoa for export of titanomagnetite concentrate to Japanese steelmakers.
1986
Further refinement of the process occurred throughout the 1980s leading to the construction of expanded production facilities at Glenbrook, commencing in 1986. The current production capacity of the mill is 700,000 t of which 60% is exported.
1987
Waipipi mine closed
1991
The “Crown Minerals Act 1991” comes into being, replacing the Mines Act, with one of its stated aims “… to allow extraction and selling of Crown owned minerals”.
2003
The “seabed and foreshore issue” begins to unfold in public, arising from an application from Maori to the courts for a ruling on their customary rights and therefore the ownership of the New Zealand seabed and foreshore. Waitangi Tribunal hears claim WAI 1071.
11 May 2004
Iron Ore NZ Ltd, is registered in Christchurch for Rutherford, John G, a lawyer from Christchurch (former director until 22.04.2005: HANNA, James A from Blenheim NZ), Co Reg. No. 1511587”… Christchurch solicitor John Rutherford, who is the New Zealand lawyer representing the group, says he cannot name the client organisation he represents for confidentiality reasons at this stage …”
10 Nov 2004
Iron Ore NZ Ltd applies to the Department of Crown Minerals (Ministry of Economic Development) for a Prospecting Permit for iron ore sand on 1,269 sq km of seabed along the Taranaki coast.
24 Nov 2004
The Foreshore and Seabed Act (2004) is passed.
This act redefines the title to the seabed and removes the possibility of any Māori challenge to seabed mining, in New Zealand courts. This is also the Act that is portrayed as protecting the foreshore and seabed for all Kiwis.
10 Jan 2005
Black Sand Exploration Ltd applies for an Exploration Permit to the Crown Minerals Department (Ministry of Economic Development) for iron ore sand covering an area of 3,617 sq km along the coast from Taranaki to Kaipara Harbour. This application, together with the one from Iron Ore NZ Ltd (above) now means that the West Coast of the North Island is covered from south of New Plymouth to north of the Kaipara Harbour, from the low water line 18 km out to sea. 4,887 square kilometers – an area eight times the size of Lake Taupo.
17 Jan 2005
The “Foreshore and Seabed Act 2004” and the “Resource Management (Foreshore and Seabed) Amendment Act 2004” comes into force. Now the Crown owns foreshore and seabed and legally can grant permits for prospecting, exploration and mining operations.
09 Feb 2005
The first media reports and public announcement about seabed mining appears in the The Waikato Times “… Ernst & Young spokesman Aaron Gilmore, who is overseeing the application for Project All Black ( “Black Sand Exploration Ltd” = “Best Quality of Life Pty.” – editor), said it could earn the Crown tens of millions of dollars in taxes and royalties …”. This information only became known when Crown Minerals, fulfilling minimum obligations in the Crown Minerals Act, contacted Tainui by post to inform them about the planned operation, regarding wahi tapu (sacred sites) areas.
21 Feb 2005
Prospecting Permit for “Iron Ore NZ Ltd” granted by Crown Minerals : “Permit No. 39287, area: 1269.79 sq km, district: Non Territorial, years: 2.
April 2005
“Iron Ore NZ Ltd” starts a permitted prospecting operation for iron sand offshore Taranaki.
May 2005
“Iron Ore NZ Ltd” begins its prospecting operation on 1,269 sq km seabed off North Taranaki
11 May 2005
Jim Anderton (Minister for Economic Development) states in a letter to KASM: “…there is currently no proposal before the crown to mine these sands, nor do I see one to mine in the foreseeable future …”
25 May 2005
KASM is formed in Whāingaroa / Raglan during a vocal public meeting at the Raglan Church Hall.
04 Jun 2005
“Iron Ore NZ Ltd” prospecting operation is completed said Mr. J Rutherford, director and single shareholder. The prospectors have discovered huge layers of iron rich sand in only 20 to 60 metres depth, 2 to 3 kilometers out in the Tasman Sea. Iron Ore NZ Ltd mentions “up to 300 jobs” and “billions of $ revenue” in Taranaki. (Taranaki Daily News 04.06.2005)
24 Nov 2005
Current Affairs Programme Closeup on TV One
Watch in our Video Gallery
21 Dec 2005
The Associate Minister of Energy, Hon Harry Duynhoven, releases the Draft Replacement Minerals Programme for Minerals and Coal for a forty working day statutory public and iwi consultation process.
Feb 2006
Submission to Review of the Draft Minerals Programme (2005) – Crown Minerals Act (1991)
24 Feb 2007
KASM submits a petition to the House of Representatives. A total of 15,113 signatories supported the petition requesting Parliament to change the law to remove the possibility of ironsand mining of the seabed.
19 Jul 2007
KASM provides further submission to Draft Minerals Programme (2005). The Local Government and Environment Select Committee to Draft Minerals Programme requests further explanation in person
16 Aug 2007
KASM Presentation to Parliamentary Select Committee in person
Nov 2007
KASM submits to Ministry for the Environment re: ‘improving regulation of environmental effects in NZ’s Exclusive Economic Zone’.
May/June 2008
Select committee responds May 2008 re Review of the Draft Minerals Programme (2005) – Crown Minerals Act (1991). KASM Kaitiaki Programme Documentary on Maori TV. KASM submits to the proposed New Zealand Coastal Policy Statement 2008 Sections 49 and 57 of the Resource Management Act 1991
24 April 2009
Oral submission to Foreshore and Seabed Legislative Review delivered
May 2009
KASM sends a formal submission to Foreshore and Seabed Legislative Review, explaining our concerns about these proposals.
2010
KASM joins the “2Precious2Mine” Coalition
2011
KASM registers as interested party with Crown Mineral Dept
September 2011
KASM presentation in Taranaki.
Oct 2011
KASM presents to recreational fishing clubs in Whanganui.
2011
KASM makes a formal approach to Trans Tasman Resources to register as Interested / Affected Party.
11 March 2012
Trans Tasman Resources and Petroleum and Minerals presentation at Poi Hakena Marae.
11 March 2012
KASM Silent Protest March in Raglan township after Trans Tasman Resources and Petroleum and Minerals presentation to Marae.
14 March 2012
Trans Tasman Resources applies for permit extension.
July 2012
Kasm and Raglan Positive Perspective unite to produce a short film expressing concern and opposition to seabed mining proposals.
August 2012
Participated in Hands Across the Sands with 100 people making a silent visual display of their intentions.
16 November 2012
Dave Rastovich sets off from Parihaka, Taranaki, to paddle to Piha (logbook)
18 December 2012
Australian surfer Dave Rastovich arrives to a huge welcome in Piha
17 June 2013
KASM holds public meeting in Hāwera
19 June 2013
KASM holds public meeting in Pātea
25 July 2013
KASM holds public meeting in New Plymouth
4 August 2013
KASM holds public meeting in Muriwai
November 2013
Trans-Tasman Resources (TTR) applies to the EPA for a marine discharge consent to dig up 50 million tonnes of the seabed every year for 35 years, taking five million tonnes of iron ore and dumping the rest back
March 2014
EPA receives record number of submissions against any application in its history
June 2014
EPA refuses TTR consent
July 2014
Chatham Rock Phosphate applies to mine the Chatham Rise
February 2015
EPA refuses consent for a marine discharge for Chatham Rock Phosphate
August 2016
TTR re-applies for the same marine discharge consent. EPA committee redacts new plume modelling info; KASM, Greenpeace, Ngāti Ruanui, Talley’s go to Environment Court to overturn redaction
February 2017
EPA hearings begin. Record 13,700 submissions (against)
10 August 2017
EPA grants TTR consent with 109 conditions
15 August 2017
KASM unpacks misleading statements from company & EPA
31 August 2017
KASM and Greenpeace file High Court appeal
19 October 2017
Athol Steward begins walk from Raglan to Whanganui to raise awareness
1 August 2018
TTR drops South Island mining permit
August 2018
High Court quashes TTR’s consent
April 2019
Athol Steward swims down the Taranaki coast to raise money for KASM
September 2019
TTR appeals to Court of Appeal; other parties cross-appeal
April 2020
Court of Appeal confirms quashing of EPA consent
July 2020
Supreme Court grants TTR leave to appeal
16 November 2020
First day of Supreme Court case
30 September 2021
Supreme Court rules against TTR, upholds quashing, sets “no material harm” test
June 2022
KASM & Greenpeace deliver 36,000-strong petition to Parliament calling for a ban
11 November 2022
Manuka Resources buys TTR – now 100% Australian-owned
2023
TTR begins process of applying to EPA again
March 2024
EPA hearings begin in Hāwera over three days
• Huge protest outside
• TTR’s evidence completed, KASM’s begins
29 March 2024
TTR drops out of hearings process, opts for fast-track
Oct 2024
TTR listed on fast-track projects list
2024
TTR retracts $1 billion-per-year claim to NZ Government coffers
April 2025
TTR applies to Fast Track