For those of you that may have missed the news, Siren Gold LTD has been denied further mining operations at Sam’s Creek, which would have threatened the health of the waterways in the incredible Cobb Valley that Twisted calls home.

This is the best news we have heard all year!

Siren Gold began exploration drilling in Upper Tākaka in 2022 and since then many groups have been protesting their harmful practices. In March 2025, they applied for the next step - the Minerals Mining Permit. Last week, that was denied by New Zealand Petroleum and Minerals (NZPAM).

This Australian based mining company was intending to place a large tailings dam near Sams Creek, which would have become full of toxic waste. With a high likelihood of this breaking, it would pollute the water in Sams Creek, the Tākaka River, the Arthur Marble Aquifer and Te Waikoropupu Springs.

Consequences of this would be devastating. The drinking water in the Tākaka Valley would be under threat, aswell as dairy farming operations and other businesses. The famous clarity of Te Waikoropupu Springs would be lost and the site where we hold Twisted would no longer have a swimmable awa/river.

There has been alot of discussion around this announcement and we thought it was important to dig in to what it actually means. So, we got in contact with our friends over at Save Our Springs (SOS), who were key figures in the movement against these proposals.

Kevin Moran (SOS Coordinator) says “the team is feeling pumped and joyful. We are buzzing. We have worked diligently for 18 months for this win, and it came out of the blue. We stopped a hard rock gold mine in its tracks when the law was enforced as it should always be. NZPAM is to be congratulated on doing a good job.”

Manawhenua ki Mohua chair Margie Little, submitted against the mine on behalf of Ngāti Tama, Te Ātiawa and Ngāti Rārua. In an interview with Nelson Mail she stated, “We put in so much work behind the scenes and usually it just goes out the window to stop these applications. But this time, it worked… For gold mines like that, the risk to the environment and to the water is hugely significant. There was no way we were ever going to agree to it… The decision is just amazing for the future and our mokopuna, and for everyone in the bay. I wasn’t expecting it, to be honest.”

While we are all rightfully celebrating this win against mining in Mohua, the work does not end here.

Moran stated, “I suspect the mainstream media is unaware that the fight is ongoing. We are about 75% there. SOS is very aware that Sams Creek remains vulnerable to an appeal from Siren Gold or another exploration company seeking a mining license.”

“A key point in NZPAM’s decision was that they knew they were under close scrutiny. Because of this, they made doubly sure the law regarding the mining license application was enforced correctly. That needs to happen with all mining applications… A change of government is necessary to ensure mining applications do not threaten the environment. The law is there, but it needs to be tightened and enforced.”

Siren Gold released a sobering statement after the permit was denied, “The Company’s other projects remain unaffected and continue to progress in line with previously announced plans, although this development will facilitate an increased focus on and directing of resources to these projects.”

This reinforces the fact that the work is not done, everywhere you look throughout the Pacific, destructive mining practices are progressing quickly. Denniston Plateau, Queen Charlotte, Langdons & Reefton Goldfields (just to name a few around Aotearoa), are all locations where some form of extraction is underway.

We encourage everyone who stood against mining in the Cobb Valley to extend their support to similar initiatives across the motu. Here are some other groups working to defend Papatūānuku, we encourage you to donate to their cause if you can and/or join them in protest actions to save these precious locations.

https://climateliberationaotearoa.org/
https://350.org.nz/coal/
https://savebreambaysand.org/

watchdog.org.nz
coalaction.org.nz

https://www.forestandbird.org.nz/

Moran added, “We are grateful for the way many thousands of Kiwis came together to oppose the mine and we are grateful to the Twisted Frequency community for their support and fundraisers. It's been great to see the festival community and many folks from overseas coming together to protect Sams Creek and the Cobb Valley. We are aware that the support is widespread overseas. We value the international oneness of those protecting Sams Creek. We are all in this together.”

Save Our Springs are still fundraising to cover legal costs, which will likely continue to grow. Head over to saveoursprings.nz to donate and find more information about their mahi. There is an enormous amount of strength in community and it is crucial that we use our power as connected and caring humans to take action when commercial greed is rearing its ugly head. Kia kaha e te whānau, enrol to vote and continue to engage with groups that are standing for what you believe is right.

Interview & Words by Sam Innes-Walker