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Resources Minister Shane Jones has rejected Ngāti Ruanui’s demand for an apology and doubled down on his declaration that the iwi lacks intelligence.
Ngāti Ruanui tumu whakahaere (leader), Haimona Maruera Jnr said Jones’ comments in parliament on Wednesday were “shameful” and “an attack on the mana of our entire iwi”.
Jones was thrown out of the House after taking jabs at Te Pāti Māori co-leader Debbie Ngarewa-Packer and the iwi.
He was arguing that some “luddites” and “troublemakers” did not see the importance or economic value in mining for critical minerals.
Ngarewa-Packer interrupted Jones to point out he’d “failed” after a mining company withdrew its fast-track application to mine the Taranaki seabed. Ngāti Ruanui had opposed the application.
Jones said it was important that the $1.4 billion sector be enabled to grow.
“Whether it’s through the fast-track legislation ... and I accept ... that in some areas, the growth in intellect and the growth in intelligence will take a lot longer, and I fear that the longest period of time it will take will be around Ngāti Ruanui and Taranaki.”
Ngarewa-Packer labelled Jones “insecure” because “that little iwi took you on and won” in their battle against mining the Taranaki seabed.
RNZ
