4 May 2011

Iwi against oil, gas and coal proposal in Golden Bay

7:32 am on 4 May 2011

Tasman district iwi say they oppose a bid by Greywolf Resources to extract oil, gas and coal from the sea and land around Golden Bay.

The Australian mining company wants to drill for oil and gas in the seas between Golden Bay and Westport.

It also wants to reopen old coal mines in Takaka, Collingwood and Puponga.

Greywolf says the iwi will be offered a joint venture including royalties, but spokesperson John Ward-Holmes says money is not everything.

He says they will fight to prevent the company from proceeding with its plans.

Greywolf chief executive Edward Lancaster says New Zealand needs the jobs and foreign exchange the venture would bring.

Greywolf plans to spend up to $1 billion this year, but if protests cause delays, Mr Lancaster says the company will take its money elsewhere.