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The Labour Party is calling on the government to immediately release its discussion document on mining in conservation land so the public can see what it is planning.
The document, originally expected in February, is now going to be released "in due course", Prime Minister John Key said on Monday.
He described some media reports about the government's intentions as "hysterical" and said the public should reserve judgment until they saw what was on the table.
Labour's conservation spokesman, David Parker, asked why the document was being delayed.
"Perhaps the main agenda here is to make it easier to mine in the Coromandel and in other parts of the conservation estate outside of national parks," he said.
"It is called conservation land because it is meant to be conserved."
The government last year carried out a stocktake of minerals in the conservation estate, and is considering taking parts of it out of schedule four in the Crown Minerals Act which protects it from mining.
Forest and Bird says the Government is planning to allow mining in 7000 hectares of high-value conservation land in the West Coast's Paparoa National Park, Great Barrier Island and the Coromandel Peninsula.
Key would not confirm or deny that.
He says some information had been leaked, but that did not mean it was correct or would be in the final document.
"What is important is not to narrow the debate to solely schedule four...it is important to recognise that only a third of conservation land is schedule four land."
Key said the government wanted to balance the economic benefits from some increased mining activity with environmental responsibilities.
That was why the government was carefully working through what was an important issue.
The Environmental Defence Society (EDS) said last night it was "gobsmacked" by the suggestion that Great Barrier Island might be opened to mining.
"If the predictions regarding Great Barrier Island are correct, then I think the Government would be making a big mistake," said EDS chairman Gary Taylor.
"Great Barrier Island is the jewel in the crown of the Hauraki Gulf Marine Park. It is a valued boating and holidaying venue for many Aucklanders, its environmental and landscape values are extraordinary."
