The Principal of a South Taranaki school that took part in a protest against seabed mining off the Patea coast on Tuesday says the voices of young people needed to be heard.
About 500 people turned out to link hands and form a human chain at Hawera's Waihi Beach including principal Mama Kumeroa of Te Kura Kaupapa Maori O Ngati Ruanui and about 70 of the school's children.
"We were there in protest at the seabed mining decision. Our children and grand children will become caregivers to the environment. Their voices needed to be heard," Ms Kumeroa said.
She said all Hawera schools joined the protest as well as representatives from the Patea area.
Response from the community and school parents was "fantastic" and nobody had objected to the school taking part in a political protest.
"It's healthy for our young people to become engaged in issues that affect our community," she said. "A lot of our children are from Patea."
