There is disappointment at the coalition government for permitting 21 mining permits since it was formed.

It has been two years since Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern promised there would be no new mines on conservation land.

However, since 2017, 21 mining applications have been approved for conservation land. Newsroom reports that 14 of those permits is for land that has never been mined before.

Anti-mining group Coromandel Watchdog spokesperson, and former Greens MP, Catherine Delahunty doesn't think it was just a bad promise.

She told Heather du Plessis-Allan the coalition is formed with parties both for and against mining.

"I think a lot in government would take clear stands and honour this promise so that future generations can actually have an environment worth having." 

Delahunty says that what this signals is that the coalition will give them the same level of free range that they had under National. 

 acknowledged that the Greens are in a tough position, and sometimes they have to swallow dead rats. However, this is not one of those cases. 

"I think this is one where the Greens should spit that rat out. People want to see the land protected from toxic mining.  They are not gaining anything by just arguing behind the scenes." 

She wants them to stand up in public and make a point that they will protect our land, ahead of the Government.