Ian McLean Spokesperson for the Green Party

Fracking involves injecting water and chemicals under pressure into the ground in order to force out what is already there.

Energy and (unstated) fluids go in. Oil and gas come out. It is hard to imagine that those of us not involved in the industry will ever think this is a good idea.

The resource demands are enormous, and in the USA at least, competition for water is heating up. 'Frack-free” zones are multiplying.

As of last year, fracking requires resource consent in Taranaki. One wonders where the Taranaki Regional Council sources the independent expertise and advice needed to assess a fracking proposal.

Despite some reports, the Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment has not 'approved” fracking. She remains neutral on its effects, and tipping her hat to coastal shipping, leaky homes and mining, worries about lack of regulation of the industry. Watch this space, there is more to come.