West Coasters to gather in opposition to 'one-size-fits-all' Government policies

Wednesday, 6 November 2019

Protestors on the West Coast at the opening of the Taramakau bridge. Another rally will be held in Greymouth on November 17.

A group of West Coasters expect thousands of people will join their rally opposing Government policies they believe are hurting the region's economy.

The group, called Naturally Together, say November 17's event aims to protect the industries that support the West Coast's way of life, including mining, agriculture, fisheries, forestry and electricity generation.

Spokesman Peter Haddock, a businessman and Grey district councillor, said the region was facing significant pressure from a raft of new Government policies.

Among those concerning locals were the Government's Freshwater action plan, the potential ban on new mining on Conservation land, the Indigenous Freshwater Fish Bill, the rejection of windblown timber legislation, and an upcoming review of significant natural areas by district councils.

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Grey district mayor Tania Gibson will be speaking at a rally against Government policies affecting the West Coast.

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Haddock said the group was also frustrated the Government had declined applications for a new mine in Buller and a hydro scheme on the Waitaha River.

The policies were well-intended, but 'could lead to the collapse of many of our industries, the businesses operating in them, the loss of jobs, and the dwindling of communities'.

'If the jobs go, people will follow,' he said.

'We are already good guardians of our land and that is why 90 per cent of our land is in its original state after 150 years of mining and logging and living on the West Coast.

Mining is tedious, with long days and early starts in a hostile environment - but it's a passion and a way of life for some West Coasters. (Video first published in July 2018)

'That's why we believe the West Coast is what the rest of New Zealand should aspire to. We want to show that we are not a bunch of ferals we are a great community with people and conservation working together.'

Grey district mayor Tania Gibson, who will speak at the event, said she opposed the Government policies in her election campaign and believed she had a mandate to speak up for Coasters.

'We just want to be listened to. We don't want leeway as such, but a one-size-fits-all policy doesn't work for everybody.'

She raised the issues with West Coast MP Damien O'Connor at a recent meeting with the region's mayors, but his reaction 'wasn't so great'.

They had since spoken further and 'agreed to disagree' in the interest of working together in the future.

O'Connor said he had a 'robust' discussion with Gibson. Most of the policies referred to were not yet decided on and would be subject to public consultation.

Communities on the West Coast fear a ban on new mining on DOC land could devastate their economy and future. (Video first published in July 2018)

He felt it was ridiculous though to blame all of the region's problems on the Government, which had written a cheque for almost $35 million to save the local polytechnic.

It had also invested $140m in the region through the Provincial Growth Fund and 'fixed an absolute mess' left by the previous Government at Grey Base Hospital and Pike River, he said.

'I respect people to speak up and show their concerns but I absolutely reject the political rhetoric or any inference that the Government does not support our region.'

O'Connor said he was unable to attend the rally due to prior commitments.

Westland mayor Bruce Smith said he West Coast communities were facing 'serious issues'.

'Some of [the Government's] policies are well-intentioned, but the process and the speed they are pushing things through is never going to work.'

Only 13 per cent of the land on the West Coast was rateable so Coasters struggled to fund infrastructure and implement the policies imposed on them by the Government, Smith said.

'It's just not fair.'

National West Coast-based MP Maureen Pugh said policies like rejecting the Waitaha power scheme, not allowing new mines on conservation land, and the potential ban on whitebaiting were short-sighted and were hurting the region.

'West Coasters are justifiably fed up with this Government's policies and good on them for speaking up.'

She said she would be attending the event with National Party leader Simon Bridges.

The Call to Action event will be held at Greymouth's Messenger Park at 10.30am on November 17.

Sage has been approached for comment.

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