Auckland port stoush: 1200 march in protest

Hundreds of protesters march on Quay St yesterday. Photo / Dean Purcell

Protesters are vowing to carry on the fight to save the Waitemata Harbour from being shrunk further for port use.

Politicians, a business leader and the voice of yachting, Pete Montgomery, yesterday addressed about 1200 protesters after Auckland Council voted on Thursday for a compromise on two wharf extensions.

"We will not be backing down or rolling over," said councillor Chris Darby, who has led opposition on the issue at the council table.

He urged protesters to do whatever it takes within the law to stop the port encroaching into the harbour.

The march, from near the gates of the port in Quay St to the Viaduct Events Centre, was the second event in six weeks organised by the Stop Stealing Our Harbour protest group.

The first event attracted about 2000 people to the end of Queens Wharf and a flotilla of 300 boats taking to the harbour in support.

In between the protests, the council passed a unanimous resolution calling on the port company to stop work on the extensions and threatened a "thermonuclear" option if it said no.

The port company refused to back down and made a last-minute offer to stop extending the western end of Bledisloe Wharf by 92m, pending completion of the port future study by April 30 next year.

Although a council staff report said that would address a number of community concerns, especially around sightlines from Queens Wharf, it means work can continue on a 98m extension from the wharf's eastern end.

Mr Darby and councillor Chris Fletcher criticised the leadership of Mayor Len Brown and his deputy Penny Hulse for backing the compromise. Mrs Fletcher said true leadership was being prepared to take yourself out of your comfort zone and be courageous.

Rangimarie Hunia, of Ngati Whatua, said the Waitemata Harbour was a taonga which was sacred for everybody and generations to come.

Other speakers, including businessman Tenby Powell and yachting commentator Mr Montgomery, called for integrated planning for the ports of Auckland, Tauranga and Northland

Labour MP Jacinda Ardern said it was absolutely within the council's power "to call a halt to all of this until they fully understand the impact it will have on this harbour, on this city, on this environment and on you".

Mr Brown said last night: "It's good to see Aucklanders sharing their passion for their harbour. The dialogue over the future of the port will obviously continue."

Port demonstration

• 1200 people turn out for second march in six weeks
• Protesters vow to keep fighting wharf extensions
• Judicial review of wharf extensions on June 2.