Before the Fast-Track Approvals Bill’s third reading and final reading on Tuesday, Te Pāti Māori sent out a “stern warning”.
Directed to all the Fast-Track mining applicants, the party pledges to hold them accountable “through retrospective liability“.
The opposition party also said they will revoke all the mining consents done through the bill under a Te Pāti Māori government.
“We have placed 16 Fast-Track applicants on notice that Te Pāti Māori will hold them retrospectively liable and immediately revoke their consents when we form the next Government,” said co-leaders Debbie Ngarewa-Packer and Rawiri Waititi.
“We are not here to protect profiteering at the expense of our whenua, our moana, and the wellbeing of future generations.
“These Fast-Track consents represent unchecked exploitation, bypassing due process, environmental safeguards, and the voice of local communities.”
Ngarewa-Packer added the party will repeal the legislation, if they get in power.
Waititi said the party had a clear message to the mining companies.
“Exploit the whenua, face the consequences. Aotearoa is not interested in corporate exploitation driven by the greedy.”
Te Pāti Māori is calling for all Kiwis to stand with them in opposing the “erosion of environmental protections and the exploitation of public resources”.
Once passed, the bill aims to speed up project approvals and reduce consenting costs, which currently total $1.3 billion annually. According to the Infrastructure Commission, consent processes now take nearly twice as long as they did five years ago.
It stemmed from the coalition agreement between National and NZ First, which included a promise to have its first reading within the first 100 days. This took place in March 2024.
The ministers with decision-making powers are Regional Development Minister Shane Jones, Infrastructure Minister Chris Bishop, and Transport Minister Simeon Brown.
Occasionally, a fourth minister, National’s Tama Potaka, will be involved as the Minister of Conservation, particularly when an activity prohibited under the Wildlife Act is being applied for.
