In just 12 weeks, over 12,000 people have signed a petition against sand mining in Te Akau Bream Bay, standing together to protect one of Northland’s most stunning coastal regions -including Langs Beach, Waipū Cove, Uretiti, and Ruakākā - from McCallum Bros Ltd’s proposed 35-year sand mining plan.
This milestone reflects the growing opposition to the Fast Track project, combining petition signatures from the Endangered Species Foundation and Our Action Station. Opposition continues to grow rapidly across the country and every week over 1,000 people are signing on.
"Every week, over 1,000 people are signing. When McCallum Bros applied to mine sand Te Akau Bream Bay, we launched this petition to give people the opportunity to be heard. And they are speaking loud and clear," says Natalie Jessup, General Manager of Tāngaro Tuia te Ora, the Endangered Species Foundation.
The proposed sandmining site lies offshore from Waipū, Langs, Uretiti and Ruakākā beaches, vital habitats for sea life, with no economic benefit for local communities who are highly concerned about devastating consequences if mining proceeds.
A Rising Tide of Opposition
The petition has gained fresh energy following a community action where hundreds of locals spelled out SAY NO in the sand, creating a striking visual protest. Hapū members from Patuharakeke and other hapū in the area were in attendance to make their voices heard and protect this valued rohe (area).
“We should be seriously worried about the environmental destruction, land loss, Māori language and culture loss, and the deepening desperation and misery of our people. Local hapū members are strongly opposed to this devastation. But we don’t need to accept these obliterations as inevitable. No sandmining in Te Akau Bream Bay!” says Dr Mere Kepa, Te Parawhau Hapu and Te Patuharakeke o Te Parawhau Hapu.
Since the community action at Te Akau Bream Bay there has been a noticeable increase in the number of people signing the petition.
"We’ve got everything to lose. Our marine ecosystems, local livelihoods including tourism, recreational and commercial fishing are all at risk. The flow of signups on our Action Station petition is constant now, and the passion people have for protecting this special place is clear,” says Brenda Leeuwenberg, concerned local from Bream Bay who is strongly opposed to sand mining Bream Bay.
Not Economically Viable
Sandmining creates massive sediment plumes, dead zones on the seabed, and harm fishing grounds, jeopardising kaimoana (seafood) stocks that sustain local families and recreational fishers. This application is a test of the new fast-track consenting process, which in this case prioritises the profits of just one company, McCallum Bros Ltd, over other local and national economic developments, which are essential for the prosperity of New Zealanders.
Alternatives Are Available
Sandmining is neither wanted nor needed, and there are sustainable alternatives available. Allowing sandmining by McCallum Bros Ltd doesn’t just come at the expense of the local fishing industry and eco-tourism, it’s also anti-competitive behaviour that creates barriers to entry for more sustainable sand solutions.
Kayasand[1] is a Waikato-based company which uses waste-quarry materials to produce sand-aggregates. The method was originally developed because of a ban on dredging in Japan and provides a better way to obtain sand for use in concrete. There are now over 300 plants throughout Asia. Kayasand could expand operations to three quarry sites in Northland harnessing this technology, providing jobs for locals and creating distribution points in the region.
As well, a new fast-track proposal by Ngāti Manuhiri[2] would also supply up to 300,000 cubic metres of sand a year for as long as 35 years[3]. There are also other operations including Kaipara Ltd who are mining sand on-land, and who run the Brookby Quarries manufactured sand plan. This new operation can produce 300,000 tonnes of product a year and a second stage - which would increase that to 500,000 tonnes annually - could be up and running in six months, if demand requires[4][5].
"Why should a private company be allowed to extract sand for free while competitors are investing in sustainable alternatives? The Bream Bay environment and local community and our sea floor will bear the cost unnecessarily when better solutions are available. This is unfair and doesn’t make sense," says Bruce Copeland, Langs Beach resident, businessman, and conservationist.
Negative Impact on Fisheries
The Northland scallop fishery was closed in 2021 and the taking of scallops in Te Akau Bream Bay has been prohibited since 27th October 2022 to allow stocks to regenerate.
“All the commercial scallop fisheries in this country are now shut due to a lack of scallops. In Northland, scallops used to be so abundant they would wash up on the beaches after a storm. But years of over harvest and habitat destruction from trawling, dredging and mining have seen scallop populations collapsing nationwide.
“We need to learn from our previous mistakes. 35 years of seabed mining can only have a negative impact on all shellfish beds in Bream Bay. Afterall, doing the same thing and expecting a different outcome is the definition of insanity” says Sam Woolford, LegaSea.
A Call to Decision Makers to Act
We are calling on the Northland Regional Council, Whangārei District Council, and Members of Parliament — Dr. Shane Reti, Shane Jones, and Grant McCallum — to say no to sandmining and stop this undemocratic fast-track process which excludes the public, key organisations and businesses from having a voice.
“We need as many voices as possible, urgently. We’re calling on everyone to sign and share the petition. Together, we can send a clear message to the government—this fast-track project is neither needed nor wanted. Our treasured coastlines deserve protection for generations to come” says Jessup.
Petition Goal: 20,000 Signatures
This fight is far from over, with a goal of 20,000 signatures before presenting the petition to key decision-makers. We urgently need as many voices as possible and are calling on people to sign and share the petition. Together, we can send a clear message to the government—this fast-track project is neither needed nor wanted. Our treasured coastlines deserve protection for generations to come.
Links:
We Urgently Need Donations | Help us Get More Signatures!
Your donation will go directly towards:
✅ Promoting the petition to reach 20,000+ signatures
✅ Pressuring decision-makers to reject this destructive project
✅ Supporting on-the-ground efforts to defend Te Akau, Bream Bay
✅ Spreading awareness through media and outreach
References:
[2] https://environment.govt.nz/assets/what-government-is-doing/Fast-track-listed/Integrated-Development-Plan-for-Te-Arai-South-Precinct-and-Regional-Park/327.09-FTA327-Integrated-Development-Plan-for-Te-Arai-South-Precinct-and-Regional-Park-Sch-2A-MfE-assessment-form-Stage-1_Redacted.pdf
[3] https://www.localmatters.co.nz/environment/thirty-five-years-of-sand-mining-included-in-te-arai-fast-track-bid/