Photo: suppliedSouthland iwi have met for the first time with officials trying to ensure the contaminated Tiwai Point aluminium smelter gets cleaned up. A group of four rūnaka called Murihiku Regeneration have met with the Environment Ministry, regional council and Department of Conservation. The Government called off talks with Rio Tinto last month, protesting that it had not been open with environmental monitoring data. The Murihiku collective includes Te Rūnaka o Awarua, Te Rūnaka o Waihōpai, Ōraka Aparima Rūnaka and Hokonui Rūnanga. It put out a 238-page preliminary cultural significance report about Tiwai in January, ahead of more detailed studies.

Source: Otago Daily Times April 18, 2021 03:22 UTC