About 500 people protested at Parliament on Tuesday against the Government's proposal to open up more conservation land to mining.
The protest was organised by Nelson man Joni Bridge, with assistance from environmental groups including Forest & Bird and Environment and Conservation Organisations of Aotearoa New Zealand (ECO).
Mr Bridge told the crowd that the rally was the first ripple in what will be a wave of opposition, and urged the public to make submissions on the issue.
He says he was pleased with the turnout, and wants to organise another nationwide protest before the consultation period on the proposals closes on 4 May.
A group from the protest met Conservation Minister Kate Wilkinson in her Beehive office after the rally.
Govt will back down - Goff
Labour Party leader Phil Goff is predicting a Government backdown on proposals to open up parts of the Coromandel Peninsula and Great Barrier Island to mining.
Mr Goff says it is not a popular idea, would be damaging to the tourism industry, and does not make economic sense.
