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However, the Government still saw a silver lining to the outcome, as Energy Minister Brownlee said: “I suspect few New Zealanders knew the country had such considerable mineral potential before we undertook this process and I get a sense that New Zealanders are now much more aware of that potential and how it might contribute to economic growth.”<ref> Tracey Watkins, Government back-down on mining, The Press, 20 July 2010. Available from http://www.stuff.co.nz/the-press/news/south-island/3935789/Government-back-down-on-mining </ref>
However, the Government still saw a silver lining to the outcome, as Energy Minister Brownlee said: “I suspect few New Zealanders knew the country had such considerable mineral potential before we undertook this process and I get a sense that New Zealanders are now much more aware of that potential and how it might contribute to economic growth.”<ref> Tracey Watkins, Government back-down on mining, The Press, 20 July 2010. Available from http://www.stuff.co.nz/the-press/news/south-island/3935789/Government-back-down-on-mining </ref>


==Government management of the argument for mining on Schedule 4==
Whatever the relevant merits of the arguments put by the opposing camps, observers from both sides of the political spectrum were united in their criticism of the Government’s mishandling of the issue. While there was general agreement that the state of New Zealand’s finances were dire and required innovative solutions, there was a general consensus that the Government had picked the wrong fight to advocate increasing mining of mineral reserves and had communicated its intent poorly. Left wing commentator Andrew Campbell said the Government had failed on its communications, its groundwork on the issue and its overall policy, which was opposed by the majority of New Zealanders,<ref>Andrew Campbell interviewed by Kathryn Ryan, Politics with Matthew Hooton and Andrew Campbell, Nine to Noon, Radio New Zealand, 29 March 2010, http://static.radionz.net.nz/assets/audio_item/0008/2252186/ntn-20100329-1106-Politics-m048.asx retrieved 3 May 2011</ref>  while right-wing commentator Matthew Hooton expressed frustration that by pushing for an increase in traditional mining production the National Party had not lived up to its election campaign promise to deliver innovative change to the economy.<ref>Matthew Hooton interviewed by Kathryn Ryan, Politics with Matthew Hooton and Andrew Campbell, Nine to Noon, Radio New Zealand, 3 May 2010 http://static.radionz.net.nz/assets/audio_item/0007/2283811/ntn-20100503-1107-Politics-m048.asx retrieved 3 May 2011</ref>
Echoing Hooton’s comments, Keith Ng said the Government’s proposal was “a giant leap backwards.”
“We’ve spent so many years talking about the knowledge economy, moving up the value chain, selling ideas and knowhow rather than soil nutrients… and now the vision for a more productive New Zealand is digging shit up and cashing it in?
“We know exactly why we can’t rely on the primary sector in the long-term. The more you squeeze out of the land, the harder you need to squeeze to get the next dollar out. It means that growth becomes harder, and we’ve said for years that moving up the value chain – agriscience, biotech, etc. – was the way forward,” said Ng.<ref>Keith Ng, Rational, then, OnPoint, Public Address news blog http://publicaddress.net/onpoint/rational-then/ retrieved 5 May 2011</ref>
For Russell Brown, the Government’s approach to process was “feckless”, reflecting its proclivity not to think issues through thoroughly before promoting a policy publicly.<ref>Russell Brown, The Back of a Bloody Envelope, Hard News, Public Address news blog, 23 March 2010 http://publicaddress.net/hardnews/the-back-of-a-bloody-envelope/ retrieved 5 May 2011</ref>
== The future of mining in New Zealand ==
== The future of mining in New Zealand ==
Not everything has been resolved despite the government decision. For example, Coromandel conservation land is still threatened by mining. The Newmont Waihi Gold company “...is actively drilling for gold in high-conservation value Conservation Park land in southern Coromandel, near Whangamata.” The affected area is regarded as “a special place – the only land with this status in southern Coromandel” because of its high conservation, biodiversity, recreational and landscape values.<ref> Mining threat to southern Coromandel remains - Newmont drilling for gold in Conservation Park near Whangamata Coromandel Watchdog of Hauraki. May 26, 2010. Available from http://watchdog.org.nz/</ref>
Not everything has been resolved despite the government decision. For example, Coromandel conservation land is still threatened by mining. The Newmont Waihi Gold company “...is actively drilling for gold in high-conservation value Conservation Park land in southern Coromandel, near Whangamata.” The affected area is regarded as “a special place – the only land with this status in southern Coromandel” because of its high conservation, biodiversity, recreational and landscape values.<ref> Mining threat to southern Coromandel remains - Newmont drilling for gold in Conservation Park near Whangamata Coromandel Watchdog of Hauraki. May 26, 2010. Available from http://watchdog.org.nz/</ref>
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