Submissions have begun in the appeal against a plan to mine ironsand off the coast of South Taranaki.
Firm given permission to dig for ironsands off Taranaki Photo: RNZ / YouTube
The plan, which was approved by a body set up by the Environmental Protection Authority last August, has met with staunch opposition.
In the High Court in Wellington today, the lawyer for Ngāti Ruanui and fishing groups, Francis Cooke QC, described the decision as inconsistent with the Environmental Effects Act.
He said even though consent to mine was granted outside a coastal marine area, it's unclear how much of an effect the mining will still have in the area.
Mr Cooke said the environmental effects are unknown, too risky, and not enough information was gathered before the decision was made.
He said the committee, which was set up by the Environmental Protection Authority, should have taken into account a similar application by the same company which was declined in 2014.
Mr Cooke said the scope of consideration wasn't wide enough and the interests of Māori were also not properly considered.
He said the approval is the first of its kind.
Other appellants including Forest and Bird and Greenpeace, as well as the mining company are still to give their submissions.
The hearing is expected to last four days.
