We are still buzzing from our kōrero at the New Plymouth Council Chamber, following a Climate Strike hikoi from the Puke Ariki Landing. Although the number was not as big as we were hoping, the opportunity to gather and have students and other fellow strikers speak in front of the mayor and a few councillors at the Chamber was well worthwhile. Thank you, Mayor Neil Holdom, for offering us the space and time and for hearing the passionate speeches from participants who care deeply about the state of the climate and environment. Thank you for all those who came along and collectively made our plea for the mayor and all four Taranaki councils:

1. Support the oil & gas ban
2. Support a community-led just transition plan
3. Reforest council lands
4. Ban LNG (liquid natural gas), PKE (palm kernel expeller) and ‘Blood’ Phosphate imports at the port
5. Reject Fast Track Approvals
6. Toitū Te Tiriti
7. Solidarity with Palestine

Say NO to the Crown Minerals Amendment Bill by 1^st Oct

The government introduced this Bill under urgency on 26 Sept and gave just 5 days for public submission, closing on 1^st Oct 11:59pm. The government’s own analysis revealed that lifting the ban on new oil and gas exploration outside of onshore Taranaki is unlikely to result in the discovery of new gas fields and development of new gas supplies before 2035, nor substantially increase the supply from existing fields. The rhetoric of ‘keeping the lights on’ or power price down is simply a dodgy sales pitch to the public and an attempt to boost fossil fuel industry morale. What we really need is an overhaul of the electricity market and a holistic energy strategy that focuses strongly on reducing wasteful demands, rapid decarbonisation and building resilience through more distributed renewable energy systems.

We have been encouraging all to send in a short strong submission to Parliament against the Bill before 1^st Oct 11:59pm. We have a 10 point draft on our website if you want to have a quick read.

Seabed Mining Hikoi, 2 Oct

Join KASM (Kiwis Against Seabed Mining) to show our full support for mana whenua’s continued and steadfast opposition to Trans-Tasman Resources‘ seabed mining application in the South Taranaki Bight. Meet at the Aotea waka in Patea at 11am for a hikoi to the beach.

Draft Critical Minerals List for NZ – submission open till 10 Oct

The Ministry for Business (MBIE) wants to know what we think about the draft critical minerals list prepared by Wood Mackenzi, one of the key actions of the draft Minerals Strategy. According to MBIE, “a critical mineral is a mineral that is:

• essential to New Zealand’s economy, national security, and technology needs, including renewable energy technologies and components to support our transition to a low emissions future
• in demand by New Zealand’s international partners”

The company came up with a list of 35 such minerals, a kind of wish-list for miners perhaps. It would likely give priority to mining proposals for the listed minerals. NZ Petroleum and Minerals (NZPAM) suggests that the list can lead to economic opportunities for NZ. We think this industry-led exercise and focus on national security and supply risks, are dangerous and irresponsible. We can no longer ignore the polycrisis we are in, the environmental and social impacts of mining, the imperative of reducing resource demands and shift from an extractive to a regenerative society. Last month, the UN put forward seven guiding principles on critical energy transition minerals encompassing human rights, justice and equity, environmental safeguards, transparency, international cooperation and peace. Have a read if you plan to make a submission. The NZ Critical Mineral List and submission details are here.

Community Energy Taranaki hui, monthly

The Community Energy action group formed during our May 11^th  Climate Action Now gathering continues to meet monthly.  The next hui is tentatively set on the 24 Oct from 6-8pm. Get in touch if you’d like to attend.

Palestine Solidarity

Palestine is a human rights and climate justice issue. On the links between genocide, ecocide and the crimes of Caltex and Chevron, and the rationale behind the broader BDS (boycott-divest-sanction) campaign, listen to this webinar.

Rally and march for a Free Palestine every Saturday 1pm at the Landing, Ngāmotu.

Sign the petition for New Plymouth District Council to call for a Permanent ceasefire and to align their procurement policy with UN resolution 2334 and the recent ICJ ruling to not contract with any companies associated with the building and maintenance of Israeli Illegal settlements.  Petition is also available for signing at the rallies until 19 Oct.