Dear Editor, Unfortunately, I was not in Mauke for Moana Minerals tour, but my husband and friends were.

They have shared their thoughts and fears, and after watching the community meeting on video and reading Andrew’s letter to the editor, I would like to remind the Pa Enua that our voice matters, more than we seem to realise. 

Mining investors are delighted when they hear that 95 per cent of Mauke support seabed mining (SBM). Yet this is far from the truth. No one can make such a declaration when less than 10 per cent of the voting population even attended the meeting. 

Land court would never accept that as an indication of family agreement on a piece of land. The land under the sea is still OUR land. We must be as vigilant to protect it as we are to protect the lands we live on.

Fourteen of the 24 seats in Parliament are in the Pa Enua even though our populations are so much smaller than Rarotonga. This is why Smit (Moana Minerals chief executive officer Hans Smit) said he wants a relationship with us and SBMA visits for consultations, even when there is no new information to share.

Smit’s 54-minute gentle unfaltering speech was smooth enough to almost convince me; except that I have some DSM (deep sea mining) knowledge on my side. 

So far there are well over 1000 scientists and 37 countries who have formally called for a worldwide moratorium on deep sea mining (DSM); this includes SBM (seabed mining). 

Other countries are declaring a moratorium for their own EEZ. 

In New Zealand, two Councils so far have called for a moratorium on DSM in their waters.

They all agree that we just don’t know enough and need years more to research DSM impact over time. We cannot accelerate time itself. 

I would love to see Pa Enua konitara given the opportunity to learn more about the risks of seabed mining. I believe with that knowledge island councils would join the call for a moratorium, because I cannot believe that Cook Islanders have drifted so far from our culture and faith that we would choose profit over protection.

May we fervently guard these precious islands entrusted to our care and trust God to provide for us.

Ebera 13:5 CIMB

[5] Ei noo anga noinoi kore i te apinga to kotou; kia mareka i ta kotou i rauka ra; ko te Atua oki tei tuatua mai e, “Kare rava au e akaruke atu ia koe, kare oki au e taka ke ia koe, kare, kare rava atu.”

Father Alvin opened the meeting in prayer thanking God for the peace and tranquillity we have; grateful for the sustaining harvest we receive from land and sea; praying for the gift of knowledge so that we make decisions that protect our future.

I close with this prayer.

June Hosking