John Roughan writes that the Coromandel peninsula's beauty is not exceptional and doesn't warrant particular protection.

Energy Minister Gerry Brownlee accused the Labour Party of hypocrisy yesterday when he revealed the previous government approved 218 permits for mining on conservation land.

The Govt will try to justify mining in conservation land by putting other areas into protection when it announces its plans at 3pm, says Forest & Bird.

John Key appeared to hint at a watering down of proposals to open national parks to mining yesterday.

John Key says the public will have to wait for a discussion paper to be released to find out what conservation land may be mined and how.