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Sam Neill Faces Backlash Over Goldmine Opposition

4/21/2026

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Story summary
  • Sam Neill, the New Zealand actor, faced threats from supporters of a proposed goldmine near his Central Otago farm after opposing Bendigo-Ophir's fast-tracking.
  • Neill and the Sustainable Tarras group say the mine threatens environment and tourism.
  • Neill expressed shock at the backlash, including personal attacks from Resources Minister Shane Jones who labeled him 'anti-Kiwi'.
  • Jones defended mining as essential for economic growth and downplayed its environmental impact.