Last week we saw the release of a draft decision to decline sea bed mining in the Taranaki bite, a move celebrated by a number of local and environmental groups.

One of the voices opposing the project was Forest and Bird. They are now appealing a fast-track gold mine consent in Waihi North. 

Following reforms to the fast-track approvals scheme pushed through last year which cut them and other community groups out of the process, the Waihi mine is the final project which Forest and Bird is invited to input on.

Wednesday Wire host Manny spoke to the Waikato and Taranaki regional conservation manager for Forest and Bird, Elvisa Van Der Leden, about the draft decision to decline seabed mining in Taranaki, Forest and Bird's appeal of the Waihi North Goldmine application, and the reforms to the fast-track approvals scheme.