Protesters at the intersection of Hewletts Rd and Tasman Quay this morning. Photo / George Novak
Protesters at the intersection of Hewletts Rd and Tasman Quay this morning. Photo / George Novak
Protesters set up at one of Mount Maunganui's busiest intersections are calling for a stop to the trade of phosphate from Western Sahara.
A dozen protesters spanned the entrance to Ballance Agri-Nutrients at the intersection of Hewletts Rd and Tasman Quay from 7.30am.
Two large wooden structures were erected outside the entrance with a person sitting in each, waving flags. Staff were forced to drive through the protest in a space that had been allocated for traffic.
A dozen protesters spanned the entrance to Ballance Agri-Nutrients at the intersection of Hewletts Rd and Tasman Quay from 7.30am. Photo / George Novak
Protester Tīaho Ngā Mōrehu said in her view, the trade of phosphate from Western Sahara exploited the Western Sahara people regarding their reserves. The protesters were largely representative of the Extinction Rebellion group, she said.
"We've been planning this for a while as support to Western Sahara people."
Ballance disputes that the trade of phosphate harmed anyone in Western Sahara. Representatives of the company travel to the area every two years to check the mining of phosphate was ethical.
Western Sahara is a disputed territory on the northwest coast of Africa. It was a Spanish colony but was taken over by Morocco in 1975.
As protesters held banners and signs calling for help for refugees and for a ban on phosphate, many cars tooted as they waited and moved on from the busy traffic-light intersection.
Mōrehu said she was happy with the support because the issue was one that demanded attention.
Protester Tīaho Ngā Mōrehu said the group stood in solidarity with the hapū from Whareroa Marae, located next door to Ballance, who have previously raised health concerns regarding the quality of air in the area. Phooto / George Novak
"It affects everyone here. Whether they're in Western Sahara or Whareroa or New York or in Red Square in Tauranga having a coffee. This blood phosphate needs to stop and it needs to stop now ... They just have to do it. It's an investment that needs to be made for people everywhere."
Ballance chief executive Mark Wynne said he and board members travelled to Western Sahara every two years to check on the ethics of mining the phosphate and were very satisfied with what they found.
Wynne said he had not been told about the protest. However, he said he respected people's right to free speech and democracy as he watched the demonstration carried out.
Wynne referred to Western Sahara as a disputed territory between Morocco and Algeria and indigenous representatives Polisario Front.
"There are really complex political issues and countries at war. The United Nations intervened to bring peace and set up processes to resolve the issue. That still has not been resolved but it's the only way that we will get peace in that region.
"As a result, there are refugees in Western Sahara."
A protester displays a message banner. Photo / George Novak
Wynne said the situation was heartbreaking but much of Western Sahara's issues were out of Ballance's hands. What the company could do to help, it did, he said.
Conditions of Ballance's trade relied on ensuring the labour force was made up of local people; that the phosphate was sourced in a sustainable manner; and that "it must be for the economic benefit of the region".
"We take this very seriously. We see investment in schools, adult learning centres, cropping facilities using bracking water in the desert and dairy industry. They are also very green. Ninety per cent [of their energy] is wind power."
When asked whether he felt protesters and their supporters knew this, he said: "No, I don't think they do".
"We respect their rights. It's a complex issue but it won't be resolved on Hewletts Rd."
Morocco holds about 70 per cent of the economically available phosphate reserves in the world, about 2 per cent of reserves are in Western Sahara.
A Ballance spokeswoman said afterwards the manufacture of superphosphate required a mix of typically three to four different rocks. This was in order to meet chemical, physical, contaminant limits, handling, manufacturing, supplied reliability and price.
The rock sourced from Western Sahara made up 70 per cent of Ballance's rock supply and it was an ideal rock for making superphosphate for New Zealand conditions.
