Trans Tasman Resources & the South Taranaki District Council

Newly released information shows Trans-Tasman Resources Ltd’s own economic assessment is at odds with what it has been telling the public.

The previously redacted information pours cold water on its previous lofty claims that the project could generate up to 300 jobs locally and 700 regionally.

According to their own forecasts, the project will only create a total of 236 jobs nationwide.

But more worrying for South Taranaki, is there appears to be little guarantee of employment in the district.

Te Runanga o Ngati Ruanui chairman Haimona Maruera Jnr said TTR never breaks down exactly how many jobs will be created specifically for South Taranaki.

The district is either talked about in conjunction with Whanganui or grouped in the wider Taranaki catchment.

“There is no way to tell how many jobs, if any, will be created here.

“And that should be a major concern for all of us, as it will be the South Taranaki coastline and seabed that suffers the most.”

It also raises questions as to why South Taranaki District Council management would be offering advice to help the project gain traction with ratepayers.

In emails we obtained under the Official Information Act show the Council CEO, Craig Stevenson, has been caught offering TTR public relations advice.

In response to a TTR employee asking what Mr Stevenson thought of their “Myth Buster” ad in October, he wrote:

“I think it is very factual and well written. Well Done.”

He then goes on to say “The Daily News does not enjoy wide circulation in South Taranaki so if you have not already planned to do so, I would also place it in the South Taranaki Star (as a minimum) and also the Opunake & Coastal News and Patea Waverly Press”

Te Runanga o Ngati Ruanui kaiarataki Debbie Ngarewa-Packer said it showed a worrying level of engagement between the two groups, and the council should remain unbias.

“Instead senior management are actively helping a commercial entity attack its own ratepayers.

“This is not acceptable.

“It is the same incompetency we have seen repeated time and time again from the likes of the EPA and the Department of Conservation.

“Maybe someone from council can answer why they are supporting this despite it being rejected by a broad cross-section of ratepayers.

“Or why they chose to hide their support for TTR during local body elections.”

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