Topic analysis

Sam Neill says New Zealand goldmine supporters have threatened him with violence

Actor Sam Neill has received threats of violence from supporters of the proposed Bendigo-Ophir open-cast goldmine in New Zealand's Central Otago after publicly opposing its fast-track approval under the coalition government's controversial law. Neill, who owns a pinot noir vineyard in the region, and local group Sustainable Tarras warn the mine could cause environmental damage and harm the area's thriving tourism and viticulture sectors, while Resources Minister Shane Jones defends the project as a driver of economic growth.