The Green Party will revoke any consents or permits issued under this Government’s new fast-track legislation for coal mining, hard-rock gold mining and seabed mining.

The Government’s contentious bill creates an expedited pathway for getting a permit typically required for large and complex projects.

It covers mining as well as infrastructure, quarrying, housing, renewable energy and farming projects.

The policy has faced much criticism, including concerns for advocacy groups that the legislation does not give enough consideration to the environment.

Green Party co-leader Marama Davidson said the legislation had failed “even the most basic standards of transparency, accountability and environmental protection”.

“We can have an economy that employs people without destroying the ecological basis of our existence for the profits of the few. But if we are serious about leaving behind a liveable planet for our mokopuna [grandchildren], we must invest in industries which build our country up, rather than tear it open.”

Green Party co-leader Marama Davidson during a speech at Parliament in April. Photo / Mark Mitchell

Davidson said the party wanted to make the announcement before any consents were issued for “complete transparency” and to send the message these permits “are not safe and they are not secure”.

“These forms of mining are deeply destructive, boom-and-bust industries; extracting resources, selling them off overseas and leaving our communities to pick up the pieces. We believe our country, our whenua [land], is worth more.”

If elected and if the policy were enacted, it would affect the controversial seabed mining off Taranaki by Australian company Trans-Tasman Resources and mining activities in the Denniston Plateau by Australian coal miner Bathurst Resources.

“Our commitment is clear. We will revoke these consents. Our responsibility to our communities, now and into the future, demands nothing less,” Davidson said.

Julia Gabel is a Wellington-based political reporter. She joined the Herald in 2020 and has most recently focused on data journalism.