Protect Karangahake met with a Department of Conversation representative this week to voice their concerns over planned mining in the gorge.

Gathering at the Hauraki District Council, the group pleaded with the department to remember the values it was founded on and to return to its original purpose - looking after conservation land.

Members of Protect Karangahake delivered a petition with 3,047 signatures from people opposed to planned mining activities in the gorge to the Department of Conservation this week. Photos: Protect Karangahake.

Tuesday also saw the action group present DoC with a petition containing 3,047 signatures from people opposed to mining in the gorge.

The group's views were supported by members of local Iwi Ngati Tamatera and Tara Tokanui who were also present.

Spokesperson Nina Pillai says on DoC's website, under ‘Our Values' it states: ‘create opportunities and take care of natural and historic heritage for the wellbeing and prosperity of all New Zealanders'.

'The wellbeing and prosperity of hundreds, if not thousands, is jeopardised by [DoC] granting these rights to a mining company.”

Nina says she fears the tranquillity and adventures the Karangahake Mountain provides will be destroyed by mining activities and mining trucks on the track if New Talisman start its planned and permitted activities.

Protect Karangahake also gifted taonga to DoC which included a photographic essay of the mountain and pottery vessels containing water from the Waitawheta and Waitekauri Rivers.

Protect Karangahake Chairperson Duncan Shearer says through further discussions with DoC they understand the difficult situation they have been put in by the government.

This is due to laws changes around giving mining companies access to DoC land and cutting the conservation budget, he says.

'No longer is conservation land in New Zealand safe for recreational and conservational values.

'The Minister of Energy and Resources, Simon Bridges, now has an equal say as the Minister for Conservation as to whether mining companies can access conservation land.

'And we all know where he stands on exploitative industries.”

Duncan says while the action group feels for DoC, it would have expected deeper investigation into the current conservation and water values in the area.

The assessment used was completed in 1997 and included data about bird populations that were 22 years old, he says.

'We hope they will now collect current data and a strong case will be made to preserve Karangahake for the conservation and recreational value it holds.”

For more information about Protect Karangahake visit www.protectkarangahake.org.nz