Action Guide: Encourage Labour MPs to support bill to ban seabed mining

The background

The announcement last year that the Government will support a moratorium on seabed mining in international waters was a huge win and a significant step in the right direction. Now we need to protect the seabed within Aotearoa New Zealand's waters from the reckless pursuit of deep sea mining as well.

If passed into law, Te Pāti Maori MP Debbie Ngarewa-Packer’s Members’ Bill will ban all seabed mining within Aotearoa New Zealand’s waters, and remove seabed mining consents that have already been granted.

The Greens have long pushed for a moratorium on seabed mining, and all Green MPs will vote in support of the Prohibition on Seabed Mining Legislation Amendment Bill at its first reading in Parliament. We want the bill to be referred to Select Committee so the public can have their say through a full submission process.

For the Bill to have any chance at succeeding, Labour needs to support it at the first reading.

What you can do

Get in touch with your local Labour MP and tell them why you want them to support this Bill.

If your electorate MP is from a different Party, you could choose a Labour List MP who is based near where you live, or choose a different MP / MPs, for example Labour MPs on the Environment Select Committee)

Below are links to Labour MPs contact details from their website (including email and social media), and some key points you could make.

HOT TIP: Your personal stories, experience, and expertise matter, so lead with this.

Don't forget to let us know you’ve sent a message (via quick form)

Questions? Email [email protected]

Key points

Please support the Prohibition on Seabed Mining Legislation Amendment Bill at its first reading.

It's fantastic that the Government is now standing alongside our Pacific neighbours to support a moratorium on seabed mining internationally. The next step has to be having a consistent policy which protects the seabed from mining across the high seas, and in the waters within Aotearoa New Zealand’s jurisdiction.
There is a lack of scientific evidence that seabed mining can be conducted without damaging the marine environment.
Last year the Supreme Court took into account tīkanga māori in its ruling against Trans-Tasman Resources Ltd, who want to mine ironsands off the Taranaki Coast. This historic ruling was the result of successful opposition from mana whenua, including Te Rūnanga o Ngāti Ruanui, Te Kāhui o Rauru, Kiwis Against Seabed Mining, Greenpeace and other environmental and fishing groups. This Bill is the next logical step in protecting our precious and vulnerable marine environment from exploitation by multi-national mining companies.
Local communities recognise that our existence is intertwined with the ocean - it is the lifeblood of the planet.
Not only is sea life suffering from the impacts of climate change, but destructive practices such as seabed mining could cause underwater ecosystems to collapse.
There is a growing movement in the Pacific to stop seabed mining in international waters, with Palau, Fiji, Samoa, Federated States of Micronesia, France, Portugal and Chile all standing against deep sea mining.