I do not know the process but wouldn't the northland regional council assess the port expansion requests rather than 3 commissioners?
I had heard that the NRC was nearly dysfunctional with the loony greenies, mystical magical tangata whenua and other opposing hardliners not agreeing on anything, but do not know how true that is.
https://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/...MIOEJ52WD4BLU/
Independent commissioners Greg Hill (chairman), Hugh Leersnyder and Jade Wikaira refused all the consents sought.
However, the commissioners said they refused consent due to the scale and extent of the proposed reclamation as it stood.
That was due to significant adverse effects on cultural values of tāngata whenua and the loss of recreational values and public access to and along the coastal marine area, their decision said.
“We find that the adverse effects of the reclamation’s scale and extent, which results in the severance of the physical relationship to this cultural landscape, the beach, the dunes and the takutai moana (marine and coastal area), are significant and irreversible.”
What are the adverse effects on cultural values of tangata whenua, great navigators whose main form of transport besides shanks pony was the waka which requires a port.
"Severance of the physical landscape to the cultural landscape"???? where do they come up with this crap.
Who are these people and what is their background?
I am hoping Shane Jones can fast track this one. This would be less destructive than mining and drilling.
Although I do not have much faith that the fast track process won't eventually lead to some pretty large back handers to get a project across the line.
Disclaimer I am a shareholder in MMH and hope to benefit from the expansion of the port eventually despite whatsup continuing to s*it on my expectations and sadly he continues to be right about Auckland anyway.