John Key to sell '100% Pure' brand for $36

Economic research sponsored by Forest & Bird highlights the folly of the Government’s plans to mine in our most precious places, the Green Party said today.

“The research makes clear that any mining in protected areas is an economic threat to New Zealand’s clean, green brand, and should remain prohibited, Metiria Turei, Green Party Co-leader said.

The economic research describes the Ministry of Economic Development’s $194 billion mineral wealth figure as a large, but economically meaningless number. The research highlights that the true economic benefit of any mining in Schedule 4 only amounts to $100 million, or about $36 per voter.

“Do we sell the heart and soul of our country for $36 a head? I think not,” Mrs Turei said.

“Potential tourism losses of up to $6.1 billion, in exchange for $100 million in economic benefit, kill any notion that this is a good idea.

“Even if a 20 percent expansion of mining exports only caused tourism earnings to drop by 1 percent, then the net outcome would be negative for New Zealand.

“It is perfectly clear that Schedule 4, as it currently exists, already strikes the sensible balance between our economic opportunities and our environmental responsibilities, and I call on the Government to reaffirm its commitment to the law.

“Minister Brownlee has been reckless with the facts, and reckless with the inheritance of our descendants,” Mrs Turei said.

For more information:
Forest & Bird’s economic research:
http://www.forestandbird.org.nz/saving-our-environment/forest-bird-mining-submissions