Media Release
22th May, 2012
Environment Commissioner welcomes Meridian Mokihinui exit
Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment Dr Jan Wright has welcomed Meridian Energy’s decision to abandon its
plans to dam the Mokihinui.
“I’m pleased Meridian has made this decision and that this particular conflict has now been resolved.
“I have had my reservations about this project for some time but did not wish to comment while the issue was in front of
the Environment Court.
“However, there is still an ongoing tension between hydropower and wild and scenic rivers in that both are good for the
environment but they are very hard to measure against each other.
“My report on wild rivers and hydroelectricity addresses the need for a more strategic approach to some of the issues
that the Mokihinui project has raised.”
Dr Wright will be launching her report, "Hydroelectricity and wild rivers: Climate change versus natural heritage", on
Thursday the 31st of May.
ENDS