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To: Petition to our local and national leaders - to stop McCallum Bros Ltd from marine sand-mining in Bream Bay

Concerned Communities of Bream Bay against Marine Sand Mining

We’re calling on our local and national leaders to stop McCallum Bros Ltd from mining more than 8 million cubic metres of sand from the Bream Bay seabed.

This industrial scale mining will have no local benefit or any significant national economic impact. It will destroy seabed habitats, choke marine life and accelerate coastal erosion threatening the health of our ocean, beaches and local economy. 

We, the undersigned residents and visitors of Northland, call on the Whangarei, Kaipara, Far North and Northland Regional Councils and its elected members, as well as Whangarei MP Shane Reti, Northland MP Grant McCallum, Te Tai Tokerau MP Mariameno Kapa-Kingi and members of the Coalition Government to:

  1. Oppose all marine sand mining consents for McCallum Bros Ltd at Bream Bay under the Fast Track Process or the Environmental Protection Authority for Bream Bay.
  2. Back and encourage the use of existing sustainable sand for manufacturing and support innovation.
  3. Ensure all relevant information is provided to decision-making panels including a full economic assessment and environmental, cultural impact reports. 
  4. Enable the representatives of Northland region to be heard at any hearings or consultations with the EPA or Fast Track decision making panels.
  5. Enable any necessary appeals.

Why is this important?

Why sign this petition?

This petition gives our local elected members and councils the mandate to ensure the health and wellbeing of Bream Bay and local communities are protected into the future by submitting strong opposition on our behalf.


Why is this important? 

We don’t need to destroy our seabed to build our future.
New Zealand companies are producing engineered sand from recycled materials – a cleaner, smarter and more sustainable alternative. With growing investment in engineered sand technologies across NZ, marine mining is no longer necessary.

Bream Bay is a thriving ecosystem.
It’s home to protected marine species, vital fisheries and beloved beaches. Its health is essential to our environment, economy and the community’s wellbeing. 

This proposed large scale operation would:

  • Destroy seabed habitats and vital marine ecosystems.
  • Disrupt sediment flows that protect our beaches, increasing erosion and coastal instability.
  • Create sediment plumes that smother marine life, and degrade water quality far beyond the mining zone. 


Together, we can protect Bream Bay’s unique marine environment, preserve its cultural and recreational value, and secure a sustainable future for our communities.

Bream Bay is not a quarry.
This is our coast. Let’s keep it safe for generations to come.

For more information https://savebreambaysand.org/

References




Bream Bay, Northland, New Zealand

Maps © Stamen; Data © OSM and contributors, ODbL

Links

Campaign Facebook Page Campaign Website

Updates

2025-10-13 15:20:04 +1300

Join us for the Bream Bay Youth Ambassador Beach Rally!

Labour Weekend - Saturday 25 October 2025

Ruakaka Beach, next to the Surf Club
12.30pm - 3.30pm (weather permitting)

This rally is all about giving the next generation of Bream Bay leaders - young and old - the chance to express their vision for a healthy coastline and thriving marine life.

Through sand art and sculpture, we are inviting all participants to showcase what they know about marine life, beaches and sand dunes - and imagine what Bream Bay could look like 20-30 years into the future.

What better way to promote our beautiful Bream Bay - and take a stand against the extraction of marine sand that threatens the ocean floor, beaches and sand dunes we all love!

Everyone's welcome!

Please contact Mary or Brenda at [email protected] if you would like further information.

2025-01-28 17:42:04 +1300

A hugely successful protest on the beach last Sunday saw around 1500 people from across Bream Bay come together to Say NO! to McCallum's sand mining proposal.

Your voices count! Share the petition, tell all your friends and whanau. Let's stop this!
https://www.nzherald.co.nz/northern-advocate/news/sand-mining-protest-expected-to-be-first-of-many-against-fast-track-projects/MYEFOONFSRDGDHU5VBXJ2Y4DR4/

2025-01-26 19:58:33 +1300

1,000 signatures reached

2025-01-22 07:41:24 +1300

500 signatures reached

2025-01-15 20:55:26 +1300

100 signatures reached

2025-01-13 19:14:43 +1300

50 signatures reached

2025-01-13 15:32:58 +1300

25 signatures reached

2025-01-13 10:29:16 +1300

10 signatures reached