Ian McLean Spokesperson for the Green Party

'Muir's Reef is within the area currently under land claim negotiation by Waitaha.”

'Waitaha have not been consulted about the proposed mining in this area.”

'Waitaha do not support this mining.”

These words, spoken by a Waitaha kaumatua at a public meeting in Papamoa on Monday night, send a chilly message to Glass Earth Mining. The meeting was hosted by the Green Party with Green MP Catherine Delahunty as speaker.

Seventy people from as far afield as Katikati and Whakatane attended, reflecting a strong undercurrent of community concern.

Glass Earth Gold has been drilling into the water table at Muir's Reef without a resource consent – required under regional planning rules. Yet water quality is the key issue.

Waihi is not a boom town. The supposed economic benefits of gold mining have not been received, despite the Martha project. Mining delivers environmental costs, not prosperity.

Now is the time to say no!