May 03, 2015
Ngati Whatua backs port protest
Ngati Whatua o Orakei has lent its support to a protest against the so called compromise that will allow Ports of Auckland to push out further into the Waitemata Harbour.
About 1000 people marched along the waterfront yesterday to voice their dissatisfaction with last week’s council vote to allow the work, which only got through on the casting vote of mayor Len Brown.
Ngati Whatua Orakei Tust member Rangimarie Hunia told the rally the harbour was a taonga that was sacred for everybody.
She says the hapu believes the port company should subject its plans to full public hearings so all options can be considered.
"We think that the view they've got at the moment is quite short term. We think that they need a hundred year plan, to start thinking about the future of Auckland, the harbour, and the ports. So we want to be part of the solution, not just against development, and we will continue along that path," she says.
Rangimarie Huata says opposition to the port extensions is uniting the people of Auckland.
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