Protesters evicted from Kaitaia Airport - except for 6 who refuse

Gates to Kaitaia Airport under the control of Ngati Kahu. Photo: Edward Rooney

The majority of protesters who blockaded Kaitaia Airport for more than a day have been evicted - except for a resolute six who are refusing to leave the grounds.

There are signs of burnt poles and scorched corrugated iron on both sides of the road leading to the terminal, caused by a number of small fires lit by the occupiers.

Activists moved onto land at the airport at about lunchtime yesterday, cancelling flights into and out of the Far North, in protest against a $100 million Treaty of Waitangi settlement due to be ratified today.

About 30 police officers are on site and an iwi liaison manager is talking with the handful of protesters who have not left. Police have taken down the individual details of each of the remaining group, as the evicted protesters huddle around the gate to the airfield, singing a song.

Roads were closed to the terminal for about half an hour as the protesters were evicted.

There did not appear to be any imminent threat of force.