Police have closed off a state highway in northern Taranaki after protesters occupying the area remain onsite despite being issued a trespass notice last week.
Over the last month, a group of protesters had occupied State Highway 3 over Mt Messenger, north of Taranaki, to oppose the construction of a bypass, claiming it would desecrate Mangapekepeke Valley and the maunga.
Last week, the occupiers were issued a trespass notice from Waka Kotahi, a police spokesperson said.
"Police staff have been on site again this morning, encouraging the occupiers to comply with the trespass notice and leave the site of their own accord."
The construction of the $280 million bypass - an upgrade to the route between Taranaki and Waikato - was scheduled to begin in spring after a High Court ruling gave the project green light in April leaving years of legal disruption in the dust.
