Climate Justice Taranaki

Pānui  04/02/2025

Kia ora e hoa mā,

Ngā mihi ki te tau hou Hainamana.

At the start of the Year of the Snake, here’s some food for thought: “The snake is considered a symbol of wisdom in Chinese folklore. Its ability to shed its skin is often compared to rebirth and renewal, representing adaptability and spiritual growth.”

As we alluded to in our last pānui, we did have a second strategy hui, focusing on community education and engagement. There were lots of ideas such as holding public forum, film sessions and Climate Fresk workshops, community kōrero, visiting existing groups, articles to mainstream papers, radio talk shows, training sessions, and creative zines.

Perhaps you are the creative kind who would love having a go at making a zine, memes or graphics for leaflets on climate justice or related topics that you are passionate about? Let us know!  

Great news – Taranaki Maunga recognised as a legal person

Te Pire Whakatupua mō Te Kāhui Tupua / Taranaki Maunga Collective Redress Bill passed its second and third readings in Parliament on the 30th Jan, after nine years of negotiations between the Crown and ngā iwi o Taranaki. The National Park is now renamed Te Papa-Kura-o-Taranaki. The peaks – Taranaki, Panitahi, Patuhā, Kaitake and Pouākai, as ancestral mountains, jointly became a legal person under the name of Te Kāhui Tupua. Iwi negotiator Liana Poutu said it was important for the mana of Te Kāhui Tupua to be recognised in order to protect and better care for them, “Ko te kaupapa nui i waenganui i ngā whakaritenga katoa mō ngā maunga ko te hauora o ō tātou nei maunga….mēnā ka piki ake te hauora o ngā maunga ka piki ake te hauora o tātou nei ngā uri“.

Offshore Renewable Energy Bill, submission open till 6 Feb

If you are interested in renewable energy, the moana or social justice, please submit on this Bill. Here are a few points for your consideration:

  1. There is no clear evidence that large-scaled offshore renewable energy development is essential for NZ’s energy decarbonisation, resilience and equity.
  2. I request an independent whole-of-energy system analysis be conducted to map out a sustainable decarbonisation pathway which incorporates reduction in overall energy demand and supports community-based energy systems.
  3. There are serious environmental and social impacts of large-scaled renewable energy development. These include mineral mining overseas for the components, installation and operation impacts on NZ’s marine species and ecosystems, and waste disposal following decommission. We have an ethical obligation to avoid or minimize these impacts.
  4. There needs to be robust spatial planning that prioritises ecosystem health, biodiversity and customary rights above any economic or commercial development, including renewable energy development.
  5. If the Bill is to proceed, there must be a provision on Te Tiriti o Waitangi obligations.
  6. The Bill requires much stronger assessment criteria to ensure technical and financial competence, infrastructure integrity against seismic events and extreme storms, well defined ‘good practice’ at all stages of development, and commitment to minimize negative environmental impacts.
  7. It ought to provide for community benefits, such as levies that feed into a fund to support community initiatives.

Send your submission in before midnight of 6 Feb through the Parliamentary website.

Honour Te Tiriti: Activation and voices of change, 5-6th Feb

Te Ohongaroa Collective is organising a wānanga to explore the significance of Te Tiriti o Waitangi from different perspectives within Taranaki. Hear from community leaders, whānau, tauiwi allies and activists as they share personal and professional insights of honouring Te Tiriti o Waitangi, tāngata, taonga and Taiao.

On Wed 5th Feb, meet at 5:30pm for pōwhiri, kai and wānanga at Ōwae Marae, Waitara.

On 6th Feb, meet at 8:30am at Waitara awa bridge for a hīkoi or flotilla to Otupaiia Marine Park Waitangi event (market and concert 9:30am-2:30pm). More details here.

Te Tiriti o Waitangi – what’s the treaty ever done for me? 8 Feb

Take part in a community kōrero to explore how Te Tiriti impacts our everyday lives. NPDC General Manager of Te Tiriti Partnerships, Bernie O’Donnell, and NPDC Director of Cultural Experiences, Dr. Zara Stanhope, will lead an open discussion on the continued relevance of this 1840 document. It’s a free event, 8 Feb 1-3pm, Govett Brewster Art Gallery.

Community Energy Taranaki – Electrify your Whare, 5 March

This will be Community Energy Taranaki (CET)’s first public event, to kick start the project Electrify your Whare. Mike Casey – CEO of Rewiring Aotearoa, will be the guest speaker followed by Q&A. There will also be a brief presentation from the CET team, and some interactive activities to gauge interests.

Come along to the Taranaki Cathedral Peace Lounge on Wed 5th March 6:30-8:00pm. All are welcome. Gold coin donation much appreciated. More details here.

Palestine Solidarity Taranaki, 7 & 8 Feb

Every Friday 4pm except the first Friday of the month, the group is doing Flags at Council to get NPDC to divest. After this Sat 8th Feb’s 10am rally at Puke Ariki Landing, the rallies will become monthly from 1pm on the first Saturday of the month, still at the Landing. More details are on Palestinian Solidarity Taranaki page.  

Here’s a perfect karakia following the breaking news that the campaign to halt toxic mining in the Whangaroa district has been won! The Australian mining company Mineralogy has officially withdrawn from the district.

Mongamonga noa iho te Hiriwa me te Koura

I te kurukurutanga o tāku raukura

E hai

Nā,

The team at Climate Justice Taranaki