Waikato North Head Mine

The Waikato North Head mine is critical to New Zealand Steel's Glenbrook plant, as the sole source of the iron sand used as the key raw material in the plant's steelmaking process. It also has great significance for the local Maori (indigenous people) of the Ngaati Te Ata tribe, containing a Urupa (burial site) and wahi tapu (sacred areas). Conflicting interests meant that the company and the Ngaati Te Ata were on a collision course, until an initiative based on goodwill and understanding on both sides found a way forward.

In the early 1990s, relations between New Zealand Steel and the Ngaati Te Ata over the Waikato North mine had reached crisis point. Twenty-five years of unsuccessful negotiations had failed to resolve the issues of conflict.

The Ngaati Te Ata staged protests outside our operations against the mining of the Maioro area, which contained places of great cultural significance to them. These protests halted operations and Government intervention was required for an interim agreement, which safeguarded certain areas from mining until a final agreement could be reached.

However, tension remained high and attempts to find a solution were not successful.

Recognising that a way must be found to move forward, we initiated a new attempt to reach an understanding with the Ngaati Te Ata. Mine Manager Mike O'Connell, Raw Materials Manager Maurice Brighouse and Environmental Officer Claire Jewell began a process of working closely with the Ngaati Te Ata to build trust and understanding. The Ngaati Te Ata in turn demonstrated their goodwill by appointing a spokesperson and negotiator, Tahuna Minhinnick.

Regular meetings, both at the site and at marae (traditional Maori meeting houses), began to build an improved level of trust and mutual understanding. We all worked diligently to put the concerns and mistrust of the past behind us and to reach a workable solution that would deliver a "win-win" solution around our objectives and those of the Ngaati Te Ata.

The solution reached protects the Koiwi (ancestral remains) in the Urupa and the wahi tapu areas, while ensuring that mining is not jeopardised. It also recognises that there are other threats to the Koiwi, and that mining could lead to their protection, by identifying the location of the sites as the first step to their preservation. This has overcome an historic belief that the only way Koiwi could be protected was by stopping mining altogether in the Maioro area.

A unique document, the Maioro Koiwi Protection Plan, has been published. It secures the future of mining in the Maioro area, while ensuring the protection and preservation of the Koiwi. There is now an agreement in place to deal with the unexpected discovery of Koiwi, with four options available for their protection.

The understanding and cooperative relationship that has developed between ourselves and the Ngaati Te Ata is now symbolised in a "Tohu"- a cultural symbol depicting Ngaati Te Ata, New Zealand Steel and the New Zealand Government working together "hand-in-hand" to achieve their goals.

Another significant benefit from the improved relationship with the Ngaati Te Ata has been the ease with which we have been able to discuss the replacement of resource consents (environmental licences).

These initiatives are consistent with our commitment to respecting the rights of indigenous people and valuing their cultural heritage.

Waikato North Head Mine

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