Is the Government making a positive move by backing down over plans to mine Schedule 4 conservation land? It had been proposed that 7000 hectares of conservation land in the Coromandel, Great Barrier Island and Paparoa National Park be opened up for valuable minerals. The land is protected against mining under schedule four of the Crown Minerals Act and the proposals provoked furious opposition from the public and conservation lobby groups. Doe the Government's decision mark democracy at its best?