December 09, 2013
PM warned of mercury pollution
Northland iwi Ngati Hau has written an open letter to Prime Minister John Key challenging the drive to mine gold in its rohe.
The iwi, which closed off State Highway One at Waiotu last month to highlight the issue.
It has invited Mr Key and senior minister Steven Joyce to come and listen to its alternatives for economic development, which include cleaning up the area’s waterways so they can support more farming and fisheries like eeling.
It says analysis of sediment in the area’s streams shows high levels of mercury, and any mining is likely to release even greater levels of mercury into the waterways flowing into the north Kaipara Harbour, as well as into bores and aquifers.
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