On Sunday, I had the opportunity to attend a packed community meeting at Pōhara Hall about the proposed goldmine development in Golden Bay and its potential impacts on the local aquifer and Te Waikoropupū Springs.
Around 100 people came with strong feelings — and rightly so. The aquifer is central to Golden Bay’s well-being, and everyone deserves a say when big decisions like this are on the table.
Yet, most likely nobody in our community will get a say, as the mine has been accepted into the Fast-Track process (still awaiting the expert panel’s assessment). https://environment.govt.nz/…/sams-creek-gold-project/
Guided by Save Our Springs co-ordinator Kevin Moran, the meeting kicked off with the screening of Tim Firkin’s latest documentary “Sam’s Awa” that captured the May 8 protest near Cobb Valley and had a free-spirited vibe. What stood out to me most was how much people care about the long-term health of our environment.
I went to listen. As your mayor, I won’t be driven by labels or ideology — just by what’s right for our community, our environment, and our future.