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Unity, hope and determination were on display in Wellsford today, when around 200 people packed into the Community Centre for an anti-landfill hui organised by Fight the Tip: Tiaki Te Whenua.
An enthusiastic and vocal crowd loudly applauded vows from Fight the Tip members, MPs, councillors, iwi leaders and an environmental lawyer to fight Waste Management and Auckland Council and stop the development of a new regional dump in the Dome Valley.
“Welcome to the second battle in front of us,” Fight the Tip executive Mikaera Miru said. “The whole community, Maori and Pakeha, are together fighting against bureaucrats who are simply not listening to who we are.
“We stand together, our power is our solidarity. There is hope.
“It’s protecting our environment for our children and for our grandchildren. If we don’t do that, we don’t deserve to live in this beautiful area. What will they say in 100 years if we don’t stop this?”
The crowd was also addressed by Fight the Tip’s Michelle Carmichael and Sue Crockett, as well as Te Rūnanga o Ngāti Whātua chief executive Alan Rikawa, Ngati Manuhiri Settlement Trust deputy chair Ringi Brown, Labour MP Marja Lubeck, Rodney Councillor Greg Sayers, Rodney Local Board member Colin Smith, Kaipara District Council Mayor Jason Smith and Andrew Braggins, partner at environmental law firm Berry Simons, who is acting for Fight the Tip.
Mr Braggins outlined the options for contributing to one of several appeals being made to the Environment Court opposing the granting of resource consent to Waste Management by Auckland Council commissioners last month – people could either make their own submissions or sign up to an appeal to speak as a witness. He also answered a raft of questions from the floor.
The hui closed with a rousing rendition of Tutira Mai Nga Iwi – come together as one.
Details of how to contribute to the Environment Court appeals can be found at https://www.facebook.com/groups/SavetheDome
