Ngāti Ruanui Issues Trespass Notice to Seabed Mining Company
A man from the Ngāti Ruanui iwi has delivered a formal “trespass notice” to Trans-Tasman Resources and its parent company, Manuka Resources, escalating opposition to deep-sea mining in the Taranaki region of Recent Zealand. The action follows the withdrawal of the company’s application for fast-track approval on February 19th.
Rukutai Watene, accompanied by Peeti Wharehoka-Watene and seabed mining campaigners from Greenpeace Aotearoa, entered the offices of Trans-Tasman Resources in Sydney to deliver the notice. A video released by Greenpeace shows the group confronting company representatives, who requested they leave, threatening to call the police. Watene then delivered a speech, placing the notice on a door handle, stating that seabed mining is “not welcomed or wanted in Taranaki.”
“I’m here to issue a trespass notice to Trans-Tasman Resources, Manuka Resources, on behalf of Ngāti Ruanui that your deep-sea mining, your seabed mining is not welcomed or wanted in Taranaki. Ngāti Ruanui and other iwi of Taranaki strongly object to your behaviour. Kia ora,” Watene said in the video.
Conflicting Accounts of the Protest
Greenpeace described the delivery of the notice as “peaceful.” However, Alan Eggers, executive chair of Trans-Tasman Resources, disputed this characterization, stating that “12 intruders burst into our private offices uninvited and posted their propaganda on our building walls and doors.” Eggers characterized the actions as “intimidatory” and “very loud,” adding that staff found the experience “confronting and upsetting.” He affirmed the company’s right to continue its business operations.
Long-Standing Opposition
Watene emphasized the long history of opposition to Trans-Tasman Resources, stating, “We’ve fought Trans-Tasman Resources multiple times since 2014 and we’ve won every time, even at the Supreme Court.” He invoked Article two of Te Tiriti o Waitangi, asserting Māori authority over their taonga (treasured possessions) and a commitment to protecting the environment, from the mountains to the sea.
Juressa Lee, Greenpeace Aotearoa’s seabed mining campaigner, warned Manuka and TTR to stay away from future mining attempts, stating they would “expect resistance.” She highlighted the unified opposition from iwi, local communities, environmental groups, and the New Zealand public to seabed mining.
Previous Protests
This is not the first time the group has protested at company headquarters. In 2024, Watene, Wharehoka-Watene, and Greenpeace activists disrupted Manuka Resources’ Annual General Meeting to voice their opposition to seabed mining to shareholders.
The latest action comes after Trans-Tasman Resources withdrew its application from the Fast Track approval process earlier this month, following a draft rejection of their seabed mining proposal by the Fast Track Panel.