The Auckland Council has released their decision to refuse the proposal to extract sand from the coastal marine area off-shore at Pakiri. This is a massive win for the many groups that oppose sand mining in Pakiri and Mangawhai beaches.

Some of the supporting organisations included Save our Sand Mangawhai Pakiri (SOS), Kaipara District Council, Greenpeace, the Endangered Species Organisation, Fairy Tern Trust, Surf Riders Association and Te Whānau o Pakiri.

A statement released from Save our Sand Mangawhai Pakiri facebook page says “This two year campaign has taken a huge amount of good work done by a huge amount of good people. From the thousands who put in submissions and signed petitions, to financial contributions, coastal process specialists, to vessel spotters, Fairy Tern costume wearers, media pluggers, expert lawyers, local iwi, enthusiastic locals and receptive organisations we want to say thank-you.

We also want to take the time to thank the commissioners for their work and for making the right decision and upholding the precautionary approach and cultural heritage of the area.

Future battles still await, two more consent applications for the Near Shore and Mid Shore also need to be stopped, these are even more environmentally contentious and directly damaging to the beach. Saying that, momentum is a great thing, and a precedent has now been set.”

For an in-depth look at sand mining:

https://friendsofpakiribeach.org.nz/

https://www.endangeredspecies.org.nz/post/off-shore-sand-mining-application-at-pakiri-declined