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Source: ONE News -
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The biggest island in the Hauraki Gulf could be opened up for mining, with just over 700 hectares of Great Barrier being listed as a potential site.
Silver was mined on the island a hundred years ago and now the government thinks one valley, covering 2.6% of the island, could be harbouring more riches.
But most locals spoken to by ONE News say the government needs to keep its hands off the land.
"It's a crazy, insane idea," says Mark Bellingham from Forest and Bird.
The cliffs on the Barrier are one of the first sights for visitors who fly in and they are a big drawcard for tourists.
"It's about time we entered a much more sustainable phase instead of just ripping off the resources," says local botanist John Ogden.
And Paul Downie from the community board says tourism underpins a major part of the island's economy. "I'm not sure how that fits with a site that's being mined," he says.
The area is also rich in rare native wildlife like the brown teal. Ogden is concerned sediment could flow down the cliffs and into the wetlands.
"The sediment just changes the ecology of the swamp because it's based on organic deposits and once you get mineral deposits you change the whole ecology of the system," says Ogden.
Pupils at the local school are so worried they are pleading directly to Prime Minister John Key to put an end to any mining plans.
"I've written it's not really a good idea because it may affect the native animals and it won't look very pretty," says Lucy Webster.
The impact of mining a century ago is still visible and people say they don't want to hand over new problems to the next generation.
