Iwi and Māori views
We received submissions from Ngā Iwi o Taranaki, Te Rūnanga o Ngāti Mutunga and Waikato Tainui.
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The submission submitted by Ngā Iwi o Taranaki was a joint submission on behalf of Ngā Iwi o Taranaki and the Individual Post Settlement Governance Entities (PSGEs) of Taranaki: Te Rūnanga o Ngāti Ruanui, Te Kaahui o Rauru, Te Korowai o Ngā Ruahine, Te Kāhui o Taranaki Trust, Te Kotahitanga o Te Atiawa Trust, Te Rūnanga o Ngāti Mutunga, Te Runanga o Ngāti Tama and Te Kāhui Maru.
This submission noted the relevance of the natural gas transition to the Taranaki region due to the number of existing petroleum exploration and production sites. The response focused on the potential role of carbon capture and underground gas storage:
“Whilst we understand the need for upstream producers to capture and lower their emissions, there is a fundamental conflict for iwi and hapū with re-injecting emissions and renewable gases like biomethane and green hydrogen into depleted reservoirs. This stems from the continued grievances held by iwi and hapū in relation to WAI796 and the ongoing “use” of Papatūānuku in this manner.”
The PGSEs set out their expectation that cultural and environmental matters are prioritised over economic, and that, in collaboration with impacted iwi and hapū, alternate storage options are explored and considered ahead of well reinjection. They welcomed the opportunity to collaborate with MBIE on the development of the final Gas Transition Plan.
The individual response of Te Rūnanga o Ngāti Mutunga set out exactly the same views regarding the Gas Transition Plan as expressed in the above joint submission.
Waikato Tainui expressed the view that natural gas will continue to be required to play an important peaking and firming role in the electricity generation market until alternative options are viable and available.