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There wasn’t an electric vehicle in sight in Ōrewa on Friday, July 16 as hundreds of farmers, producers and tradies from Rodney and rural parts of the Hibiscus Coast came together to protest against Government policies.
The protesters quickly filled Ōrewa Reserve, near the surf club, arriving around 1pm in their work vehicles – utes, vans and trucks. Around 30 tractors were also driven in for the protest.
Organised by Groundswell NZ, the Ōrewa Howl of Protest echoed others happening around the country this afternoon, sparked by the tax on utility vehicles, as well as issues such as freshwater policy, the taking of farmland for significant natural areas (SNAs) and climate change policies.
Supporters waved placards with slogans such as ‘No Farmers No Food’, as well as a number aimed at Jacinda Ardern and Labour.
Protestors spoke of being sick of an authoritarian approach and too many rules and regulations impacting farming. They said they were encouraged by support they got in Ōrewa, which included people attending the protest with banners, as well as passers-by honking their horns.
Addressing the gathering, its organiser, Mick Smith, said the protest was not an endorsement of any political party, but served as a warning to politicians “that you had better listen to us”.
“This protest draws attention to the ill-conceived, ill-prepared and hastily implemented radical legislation and regulations that attack our properties, our land, our livelihoods, our culture and our ability to keep this country moving,” Smith said. “Enough is enough!”
Groundswell NZ is calling for a halt to all environmental regulations including freshwater, indigenous biodiversity/SNAs, climate change and high country legislation, and demands that the ute tax be removed.
Smith said if no significant moves have been made by Government to address these concerns by August 16, there will be further action, and again it will be nationwide. He says since the protest, councils have made moves regarding the SNAs, which he sees as a positive sign.
