Forest and Bird says it won't be revealing its source to the State Services Commission on leaked information about mining on conservation land.And Forest & Bird which recently hired former Department of Conservation head of national media relations Ni
Forest and Bird says it won't be revealing its source to the State Services Commission on leaked information about mining on conservation land.
And Forest & Bird which recently hired former Department of Conservation head of national media relations Nicola Vallance, says Ms Vallance is "phenomenonly professional" and had not been a source of information.
On Monday, Forest and Bird said it had uncovered plans to allow mining in 7000 hectares of conservation land in Paparoa National Park, Great Barrier Island and the Coromandel Peninsula.
The ensuing public furore has led to an official investigation, with the State Services Commission launching an inquiry into the unauthorised leak of government information.
Forest and Bird advocacy manager Kevin Hackwell said it had not heard from the commission - yet.
"We will co-operate but we won't be revealing our source, just as a journalist wouldn't. Obviously it was in the public interest.
"It was important that the public knew what was being considered. They're opening up schedule four in the first time it's ever been modified.
"The public now knows the full extent of what Crown Minerals and the mining industry are wanting - five times the extent of Tongariro."
Mr Hackwell said it was in the public interest to know the true extent of the authorities and mining industry's greed.
State Services Commissioner Ian Rennie said the leaks had the potential to seriously undermine trust in the public service.
"It is critical that we thoroughly investigate these breaches and act on any findings to ensure confidence in the system is maintained."
