Concerns have been raised by iwi Ngāi Tahu over the Central Otago gold mine proposed by Santana Minerals.

At a hearing of the Fast-track expert panel in Dunedin on Tuesday, Kā Rūnaka, made up of four rūnaka representing southern Ngāi Tahu hapū, said they opposed the project. 

ACT's Simon Court says Ngāi Tahu reportedly asked for shares in the gold mine - or for an alternative deal to be established. 

"From the outside looking in, some people are calling this the 'great Santana shakedown'. But that's not how New Zealand should be, because all of these costs end up flowing either into household bills - or it means fewer jobs." 

LISTEN ABOVE