By Talaia Mika, Cook Islands News
Slideshow which showcased TIS and Korero o te Orau’s logos being used as stakeholders during the consultation. Photo: Cook Islands News
The government-led seabed mining consultation held on Monday night with the Cook Islands community in Auckland has come under fire for what critics have described as a "one-sided consultation" filled with "misleading information."
June Hosking, president of the environmental lobby group Te Ipukarea Society (TIS) expressed concerns about the process in a statement to Cook Islands News.
She maintained that a slide presented during the meeting falsely implied TIS and Korero o te Orau, another environmental group, were in support of the seabed mining sector by displaying their logos.
"We did not consent to the use of our logos and are horrified at this false implication that we are on board with the seabed mining sector," Hosking said.
"This is a serious misrepresentation to our Cook Islands people."
An email was sent to the Seabed Minerals Authority (SBMA) Commissioner Alex Herman for a comment in response to TIS' concerns, Tuesday before Cook Islands News publication.
An online opinion poll conducted in the Cook Islands revealed that 66 percent of residents oppose deep sea mining, while 49 percent disapprove of exploration.
The government regulator overseeing seabed minerals activities in the Cook Islands rejected the poll result saying that the methodology was flawed and "did not fully capture the breadth of the public's views on this complex issue".
The poll which was carried out in September by Te Puna Vai Marama (TPVM), the Cook Islands Centre for Research, had 775 responses of which 752 were valid.
Meanwhile, Hosking added that if the SBMA wanted to use the organisations' logos, they should have sought permission and clearly stated their opposition to deep seabed mining.
Hosking pointed to several inconsistencies in the consultation process, noting that while the government claimed no decision has been made on whether to proceed with mining, their actions suggest otherwise.
"The recent passing of regulations to cover the mining operation-over two years before the exploration phase is even completed-indicates their minds are already made up," she said.
The consultation also faced criticism for poor management of the question-and-answer session.
Several young Cook Islanders in the audience reportedly raised their hands to speak but were overlooked in favor of government supporters.
"Government supporters in the audience jumped the queue to voice their support for seabed mining," Hosking stated.
"The domination of the limited time available by these individuals was so unfair to the young Cook Islanders waiting patiently for a chance to talk."
Bishop Tutai Pere, who chairs the Seabed Minerals Advisory Committee, was allowed to speak for over 20 minutes, emphasising his belief that seabed nodules are a "gift from God" meant for human use.
Hosking responded, "I don't doubt that the nodules are a gift from God, but we must first understand that gift before ripping off the wrapper and risking destroying it by mishandling."
Critics argue that the committee, tasked with gathering community views for the government, is instead being used to advocate for seabed mining.
With four more consultations scheduled across New Zealand, Hosking urged the SBMA to genuinely listen to the views of Cook Islanders on both sides of the issue.
"Wouldn't it be great if SBMA seriously took into consideration what Cook Islanders are saying? Now, that would be a consultation!" she said.
As debates over seabed mining continue, questions about environmental risks and the legacy of such decisions remain at the forefront of the discussion, particularly for younger generations who will bear the long-term consequences.
