More than 60 percent of submissions are against an application to mine the seabed near, Rekohu - the Chatham Islands.
Mining company, Chatham Rock Phosphate, has been consulting with the public including Moriori and Ngati Mutunga for the past two years about mining for rock phosphate on the Chatham Rise.
It's used to make chemicals as well as agricultural fertilizers.
The Environmental Protection Authority says there were 279 submissions, 95 supported the application and 181 were against it. While, three submitters were neutral.
The Environmental Protection Authority will hold oral submissions during September and October.
A decision is expected to be released at the end of November.
