Who are Trans-Tasman Resources? - Greenpeace Aotearoa

Skip to Navigation Skip to Content Skip to Footer Donate Close navigation mobile menu What is Trans-Tasman Resources? Trans-Tasman Resources (TTR) is an Australian-owned mining company. For more than 10 years, TTR has tried unsuccessfully to start seabed mining in the South Taranaki. Trans-Tasman Resources uses Fast Track process Trans-Tasman Resources (TTR) is using the Luxon government’s Fast Track process to mine the seabed in the South Taranaki. Sign the petition Read more What does Trans-Tasman Resources want to do? Trans-Tasman Resources wants to be the first company in the world to start seabed mining – and they want to start it right here in Aotearoa. Seabed mining is the destructive practice of stripping the ocean’s seabed for metals and minerals. Mining companies want to extract these metals by using gigantic machines. Seabed mining would be extremely destructive, destroying beautiful habitats and ecosystems that aren’t yet fully understood. It would cause massive damage to the ecosystems which sustain life all the way up the food chain, that all of us rely on. Trans-Tasman Resources is planning to suck up 50 million tonnes of iron sand from the South Taranaki Bight every year for 35 years to extract vanadium, iron and titanium. Trans-Tasman Resources will then dump 45 million tonnes a year back into the ocean. Trans-Tasman Resources was also given the go-ahead to nearly quadruple the size of the area it wants to mine in the South Taranaki Bight from 6600 to 24,300 hectares. South Taranaki Bight, where Trans-Tasman Resources wants to carry out seabed mining. Where does Trans-Tasman Resources want to mine? Trans-Tasman Resources wants mine the shallow waters between 22km and 36km off the coastal town of Pātea in South Taranaki. TTR originally applied to mine 66 square kilometres. But in July 2024, the industry regulator quietly approved TTR’s application to increase the size of its mining permit from 66 square kilometres to 243 square kilometres! That’s nearly the size of Great Barrier Island! The South Taranaki Bight is home to some beautiful and rare marine wildlife, including eight at-risk mammal species like the pygmy blue whale and critically endangered Māui dolphin. For over 10 years, local iwi, residents and environmental groups have successfully protested against TTR’s plans to mine the South Taranaki Bight. And the Supreme Court repeatedly agreed that environmental protection is the bottom line, and that seabed mining would jeopardise that. But Trans-Tasman Resources is set to bypass these environmental protections by using the Luxon Government’s Fast-Track Approvals Bill. How bad would seabed mining be for the environment? Seabed mining would be devastating for the fragile ecosystems, wildlife and environment. Below are just some of the risks seabed mining would pose: Noise pollution – Seabed mining is a very noisy process. Scientists are concerned that the noise from the seabed mining machines would harm mammals like whales. Many marine mammals rely on sound to communicate, navigate and forage. Studies have found that noise pollution can disrupt this behaviour. Destruction of habitats – When scooping up sand, seabed mining would hurt habitats and creatures on the seabed, like coral, anemones and octopus Sediment plumes – Seabed mining would also create massive plumes of sand when it is disposed of. These sand plumes would clog corals and sponges and likely smother the animals and ecosystems on its path. Blocking green investment – The South Taranaki Bight was set to be the site of an offshore wind farm. This project has now been cancelled, as it’s incompatible with Trans-Tasman Resource’s seabed mining plans. Instead of investing in renewable energy, Luxon’s government is set to invest in a destructive extraction industry. “It’s straight-out climate denial,” says Juressa Lee, Greenpeace’s seabed mining campaigner. The scariest thing is we don’t yet know the full consequences that seabed mining would have. If approved, Trans-Tasman Resources would be the first large-scale seabed mining project in the world. But one thing is for sure: protecting nature is more important than the profits of Trans-Tasman Resources. PETITION: Ban seabed mining in Aotearoa Seabed mining is a new threat to the oceans. Now is our chance to prevent the destruction before it’s too late. Add my name Companies linked to Trans-Tasman Resources What is Manuka Resources? Manuka Resources is an Australian-owned mining company listed on the Australian Stock Exchange, with offices based in Sydney. They have interests in gold and silver mining in Australia. They are also the sole owners of Trans-Tasman Resources. Manuka Resources recently had to backtrack on claims that the proposed Taranaki project would contribute a billion dollars a year to New Zealand’s exports. This included a formal retraction to the Australian Stock Exchange. What is Straterra? Straterra is a group that represents the mining industry in New Zealand. Its members include mining companies and well-known organisations such as Deloitte and Beca. Straterra runs campaigns to persuade the public about mining and tries to influence the government to help miners. Straterra lobbies on behalf of wannabe seabed miners Trans-Tasman Resources. This is despite TTR losing in court several times and facing strong opposition from local iwi and hāpu, environmentalists, boaties, and the fishing industry. It has openly backed the Luxon government’s Fast Track Approvals Bill. In August 2024, CEO Josie Vidal talked to different media about the changes to this bill, putting Straterra at odds with environmental groups and the many people who oppose it. Greenpeace activists take action against Straterra In September 2024, Greenpeace activists occupied the offices of Straterra to bring awareness to the fast-tracked threat of seabed mining. Greenpeace campaigner Juressa Lee says: “The Luxon coalition government needs to stop listening to Straterra and start listening to their constituency, and the broader public that are saying they do not want seabed mining, and they do not want seabed mining fast tracked.” Find out more What you can do to stop Trans-Tasman Resources Thousands of people across Aotearoa have spoken up against seabed mining and the Fast-Track Bill. Will you add your voice today? Greenpeace PETITION: Ban seabed mining in Aotearoa Seabed mining is a new threat to the oceans. Now is our chance to prevent the destruction before it’s too late. Add my name Greenpeace Open Letter to Stop the Fast Track Sign on to this open letter to industry now to help push more of them to opt out of the Fast Track. Add my name Greenpeace Donate to Greenpeace Take action for environmental protection. Please make a donation today. Greenpeace exists because this fragile earth deserves a voice. It needs solutions. It needs change. It needs action. Donate Load more Recent news on seabed mining See all stories Find out the latest on stopping seabed mining in Aotearoa: Press release Oceans Seabed Mining Seabed miners ‘trespassed’ from Taranaki waters, after Fast Track withdrawal Iwi representatives from Taranaki have delivered a ‘trespass’ notice to wannabe seabed miners Trans Tasman Resources in Sydney. Juressa Lee 24 February 2026 Press release Oceans Seabed Mining Seabed mining company TTR gives up on the Fast Track process – Greenpeace  Trans-Tasman Resources have responded to the Fast Track Expert Panel’s draft decision, saying they will not propose any changes to conditions. Juressa Lee 19 February 2026 Press release Seabed Mining Massive win for moana as Taranaki seabed mining application rejected Greenpeace along with iwi and environmental groups are calling the decision to reject Trans Tasman Resources proposal to mine the Taranaki seafloor “a massive win for people power and the… Juressa Lee 5 February 2026 See all stories